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LIFE 



PUBLIC SERVICES 



GEN. ANDREW JACKSON 



SEVENTH PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES ; 



INCLUDING 



THE MOST IMPORTANT OF HJS STATE PAPERS. 



EDITED BY JOHN S. JENKINS, A. M. 



WITH 



THE EULOGY, 

DELIVERED AT WASHINGTON CITY, JUNE 21, 1845. 

BY HON. GEORGE BANCROFT. 



BUFFALO : 
GEO. H. DERBY AND CO 

1852, 



I— « V«if O ^ 



Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1850, by 

GEO. H. DERBY & CO., 
In the Clerk's Office for the Northern District of New York. 



JEWETT, THOMAS, & CO., 

STERKOTYPERS ANO PRINTERS, 

Buffalo, N. Y. 



TO THE 

AMEEICAN PEOPLE, 

THIS MEMOIR OF ONE, 
WHO SO OFTEN SIGNALIZED HIS DEVOTION TO THEM 

AND THEIR WELFARE 

ON THE FIELD OF BATTLE AND IN THE CABINET, 
IN BOYHOOD AND IN AGE 

IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED 



PEEFAOE. 



The following Memoirs hardly require an intro- 
duction to the American reader. The life of Andrew 
Jackson is so intimately connected with the history 
of the country, that the careful student of the one, 
will not rest satisfied, until he is able fully to under- 
stand and appreciate the other. Whatever may be 
the views entertained in regard to his merits as a 
warrior, or his abilities as a statesman, his conduct 
in both capacities was such as must necessarily 
command attention. His admirers will always be 
eager to discover some new object for their remem- 
brance and regard ; while those who are unwilling 
to approve his course, either in the camp or the 
cabinet, w^ill feel impelled, from curiosity, if from 
no other motive, to examine the incidents of his 
memorable life. There are many features in his 
character, and those by no means of the least im- 



8 PREFACE. 

portance, which all will deem worthy of commenda- 
tion ; and none can be so much influenced by the 
prejudices which have survived the termination of 
his earthly caree]., as to witbiioM the appropriate 
tribute of their respect. 

A large portion of the matter to be found in these 
pages has been heretofore published, in different 
shapes. While the writer has not hesitated to make 
free and liberal use of such materials as were within 
his reach, both the language and the arrangement 
have, in all cases, been so modified and changedj 
as to harmonize with his desire of giving to the 
public, a fair, candid, and impartial life, of the dis- 
tinguished citizen and soldier whose name appears 
on the title-page of the volume. But little merit, 
therefore, is claimed on the score of originality ; and 
if those for whom it has been prepared, are in any 
degree gratified by its appearance, the labor be- 
stowed upon it will be amply rewarded. 

An attempt has been made, which it is hoped 
may not be regarded as altogether unsuccessful, to 
present a full and complete account of the early his- 
tory of General Jackson, his campaigns against the 



PREFACE. 9 

(ndians, his brilliant achievements during the war of 
1812, and his official acts as governor of Florida. 
A general outline of his administration of the na- 
tional government is also given ; but for reasons 
which must be obvious, the space devoted to this 
purpose is comparatively brief. Less could not have 
been said, without marring the completeness of the 
work; and, on the other hand, had the text been 
more full and explicit, political sympathies and 
affinities might have been manifested, which ought 
to be carefully concealed. 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER I. 

PAOti 

1767. JTntroductory remarks — Birth and parentage of Andrew 
Jackson — His early life — Influence of his mother — War of the 
Revolution — Colonel Buford surprised and defeated — Martial 
spirit of the colonists — Andrew Jackson joins the American 
army — Heroic conduct in defending Captain Lands — Surprise 
of the Waxhaw settlers at their rendezvous — Escape and cap- 
ture of Jackson — His stratagem to prevent the seizure of 
Thompson — Imprisonment at Camden — His release, and death 
of his brother and mother. — Pecuniary difficulties — Commences 
the study of the law — Is licensed to practice — Appointed So- 
licitor for the western district of North Carolina — Arrival at 
Nashville. 1789 17 



CHAPTER II. 

1789. Early settlements on the Cumberland — Hardships en- 
dured by Jackson, in the discharge of his official duties — 
Escape from the Indians — His presence of mind — Adventures 
in the wilderness — Locates at Nashville — Fruitless attempts 
to intimidate him — Indian depredations — Becomes acquainted 
with Mrs. Robards — His marriage — A member of the Ten- 
nessee convention — Chosen a senator in Congress — His re- 
signation, and appointment as a judge of the Supreme Court 
— Firmness and decision of character as a judge — Difficulty 
with Governor Sevier — Resigns his office, and devotes him- 
self to agricultural pursuits. 1804 29 



12 CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER III. 

PAGB 

1804. Fondness of General Jackson for horses— Duel with 
Dickinson— Forms a mercantile partnership — Pecuniary diffi- 
cuhies — vidventure with the Choctaw agent — Affray with 
Colonel Benton — Their subsequent friendship for each other 
— Hostilities with Great Britain — Declaration of war in 1812 
— Jackson raises a volunteer force — Their services accepted 
by government — Ordered to embark for Natchez — Arrival of 
the troops, and order to disband them — His disobedience of 
orders — Attempt of General Wilkinson to prevent the return 
of the volunteers — Object of the order — Jackson's decision 
exhibited — Shares the privations of the soldiers on their home- 
ward march — Return, and disbandment of his force. 1813 . 42 



CHAPTER IV. 

1813. Depredations committed by the Creeks on the borders 
of Tennessee and Kentucky — Attack on Fort Mimms — Pre- 
parations for war — Jackson calls out the volunteers and militia 
— Address to the troops — Takes the field — Enforces strict 
military discipline — Rapid march to Huntsville — Delay in for- 
warding supplies — Thwarted in his movements by General 
Cocke — Jealousy of the latter — Scarcity of provisions — Efforts 
of Jackson to procure supplies — Address to the soldiers on 
entering the enemy's country — Arrival at the Ten Islands — 
Difficulty with the contractors — Destitute condition of the 
army — Battle of Tallushatchee — Humanity of Jackson — His 
adoption of an Indian boy. 1813 55 



CHAPTER V. 

1813. Erection of Fort Strother, and establishment of a depot 
on the Coosa — Continued difficulties growing out of the move- 
ments of General Cocke — Battle of Talladega — Gallant con- 
duct of Colonel Carroll and Lieutenant-Colonel Dyer — Desti- 
tution of the army — Generosity and benevolence of Jackson 
— His example in submitting to privations — Anecdote of the 
acorns — Discontent among the troops — Mutiny suppressed by 
his firmness and resolution. — His appeal to the contractors to 
furnish supplies. — Answer to the overtures of peace made by 
the Hillabee tribes — Efforts to raise additional troops — Letter 
to his friend in Tennessee — Demand of the volunteers to be 
discharged, on the ground that their term of service had ex- 
pired — Reply of Jackson — His unflinching determination.— 
Suppression of the mutiny, and return of the volunteers. 1813 68 



CONTENTS. 13 



CHAPTER VI. 

PAGE 

1814. Arrival of recruits — Battle of Emuckfaw — Return of the 
army — Ambuscade of the enemy — Battle of Enotochopco — 
Bravery of General Carroll and Lieutenant Armstrongs — •Re- 
turn to Fort Strother — The army reinforced — Battle of Toho- 
peka — Kindness of Jackson to a prisoner — Preparations to 
attack Hoithlewalle — Address to the troops — The Indians 
abandon their towns at Jackson's approach — Termination of 
the campaign — Operations of the British at Pensacola — Con- 
duct of the Spanish governor — Proclamation of Colonel Ni- 
choUs — Unsuccessful attack on FortBowyer — Jackson marches 
to Pensacola and demolishes it, 1814 87 



CHAPTER VII. 

1814. Jackson marches to New Orleans — Preparations to de- 
fend the city — Surrounded by traitors and spies — Situation 
of the country — Strength of the British expedition — Firmness 
of Jackson — The city placed under martial law — Vigorous 
measures rendered absolutely necessary — Landing of the 
British — Alarm in the city — Jackson determines to attack 
them — Disposition of his forces — Battle on the night of the 
twenty-third of December — Gallant conduct of the American 
troops — Repulse of the British — The complete triumph of the 
Americans prevented by the darkness of the night — Adven- 
ture of Colonels Dyer and Gibson — The Americans fall back 
to a new position, and prepare to fortify it — Effect of the bat- 
tle. 1814 99 



CHAPTER VIII. 

1814. The Americans fortify their position — Jackson's peremp- 
tory orders to Major Lacoste — Defence of the Pass Barrataria 
— Captain Lafitte — Attack made by the British on the 28th 
of December — Defensive preparations hastened — Death of 
Colonel Henderson — Disaffection in New Orleans- — Informa- 
tion communicated to the British fleet — Stratagem of Mr. 
Shields — Conduct of the Louisiana legislature — Patriotic 
reply of Jackson to the committee — Attempt to supply his 
troops with arms — Gallantry of Colonel Hinds — Cannonade 
on the 1st of January — Position of the American arrny-— 
Jackson's orders to the Frenchman to defend his property — 
Defences on the right bank of the river — Caution of Jackson 
in concealing the number of his troops. 1815 117 



14 CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER IX. 

PAOtlt 

1815. Arrival of fresh troops from Kentucky — Preparations of 
both armies for an attack — The disposition of Jackson's force 
made known to the British by a deserter — Success of Colonel 
Thornton on the right bank of the river — Eagerness of the 
American soldiers for an engagement — Activity and energy 
of Jackson — The eighth of January — Advance of the British 
towards the American intrenchments — Destructive fire from 
the fortifications — Repulse of the British — Death of Sir Ed- 
ward Packenham — Terrible havoc made in the ranks of the 
enemy — Bravery of Colonel Rennie — ^Number of killed and 
wounded m the battle — Watchword of the British army — 
Generous benevolence of the American soldiers — An armistice 
proposed by General Lambert and accepted, with modifica- 
tions—Brave conduct of the American troops — Want of arms 
prevents Jackson from capturing the whole British army — 
English version of the battle. 1815 141 

CHAPTER X. 

1815. Gratitude of the citizens of New Orleans to their deli- 
verer — Jackson strengthens his position — Anonymous publi- 
cations inciting his troops to revolt — The author placed in 
arrest — Judge Hall ordered into custody for his interference — 
The British retire to their shipping — Treaty of peace signed — 
Cessation of hostilities — Jackson submits to the fine imposed 
by the judge — Farewell address to his troops— Return to 
Nashville- — Depredations committed by the Seminole Indians 
. — Jackson ordered to take command of the southern army — 
Enters Florida with his army — Execution of Arbuthnot and 
Ambrister — Capture of St. Marks and Pensacola— Termina- 
tion of hostilities — Jackson's conduct approved — Appointed 
governor of Florida — Administration of his judicial duties — 
Difficulty with the Ex-governor, Callava — Jackson's ill health 
compels him to return home. 1821 158 

CHAPTER XL 

1821. Jackson resigns his office in the army — Testimonials of 
public respect — A candidate for the Presidency — Defeated in 
the House of Representatives — Election of Mr. Adams — ■ 
Course of Jackson's friends — His renomination — Warmth of 
the contest — Elected president — Death of his wife — Kindness 
to her relatives — His first message — Veto of the Maysville 
road bill — Dissolution of the Cabinet — Opposition to the 
United States Bank — Veto message — Re-elected president- 
Difficulty with the nullifiers — Assaulted by Lieutenant Ran- 
dolph — Removal of the deposits — Public excitement — Con- 
troversy with France — Retirement to private life. 1837 . . 173 



CONTENTS. 15 

CHAPTER XII. 

TAGS 

.1837. Ill health of General Jackson — Arrival at the Hermit- 
age — Influence with his party — Friendly to the annexation 
of Texas — His occupations — Embarrassed in his pecuniary 
affairs — Refunding of the fine imposed by Judge Hall — Failure 
of his health — His last illness — His Christian resignation and 
death — Honors paid to his memory — Remarks of Reverdy 
Johnson— Speech of Daniel Webster — Character of Jackson — 
His qualifications as a soldier and statesman— Attachment 
to his friends — His personal appearance — His patriotism. 
1845 186 

CHAPTER XIII. 

Bancroft's Eulogy 196 

Inaugural Address 221 

Maysville Road Veto 225 

Message to the United States Senate on returning the Bank Bill 241 

Proclamation on the Nullification Question 263 

Extracts from the Protest 287 

Sixth Annual Message 306 

Message in relation to Texas 344 

Farewell Address 350 

Letter to Commodore Elliott, declining a Sarcophagus . . . 373 

Last Will and Testament 375 

Dr. Bethune's Sermon ........ . 381 



LIFE 



OF 



ANDREW JACKSON. 



CHAPTER I. 

1767. Introductory remarks — Birth and parentage of Andrew Jack- 
son — Ilis early lil'e — Influence oi his mother — War ot the Revolu- 
tion — Colonel Buford surprised and defeated — Martial spirit ot tho 
colonists — Andrew Jackson joins the American army — Heroic con- 
duct in defending Captain Lands — Surprise of the Waxhaw settlers 
at their rendezvous — Escape and capture of Jackson — His stratagem 
to prevent the seizure of Thompson — Imprisonment at Camden — 
His release, and death of his brother and mother — Pecuniary ditli- 
culiies — Commences the study of the law — Is licensed to practice 
— Appointed Solicitor for the western district of North Carohna— 
Arrival at Nashville. 1789. 

In seasons of high party excitement, it is not to be ex- 
pected, that full and impartial justice will at all times be 
rendered to the statesman or politician. There ^ is an 
ancient French maxim, which cautions the legislator to 
" think of the rising generation, rather than of that which 
is passed." It is not amid the prejudices and jealousies 
of the present, but in the enhghtened judgment of the far- 
off future that he must look for his reward. Colempo- 
raneoLis history is always hast}^ and often unjust, in its 
conclusions ; but " the sober second thought" of posterity 
is ever prompt to repair the wrong. It was the fortune of 
the subject of these memoirs to occupy, for a series of 
years, a prominent place in the public estimation, as the 
leader of the political party to which he was attached. 
During that time, much was said, both for and against 
him, which it would scarcely become the dignity of history 



18 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

to record ; nor would his most devoted admirer ask, at this 
day, that any thing should be written concerning him, ex- 
cept what was conceived in the same spirit that prompted 
the memorable remark of the iron-hearted Cromwell to 
young Lely, "Paint me as I am!" His death has 
hushed the embittered passions of the hour, and public 
opinion has already settled down upon a conviction highly 
favorable to his memory. Few men have ever lived, who 
exhibited, in a more remarkable degree, those salient 
points of character, calculated to enforce attention and 
respect, or possessed those peculiar traits of disposition, 
which are sure to inspire the warm and devoted atta.ch- 
ment of personal friends. His hfe and his character, both as 
a public and private citizen, the storied incidents of his 
military career, and the important services rendered to 
the country, are now regarded, by general consent, as the 
common property of the nation. Like truly great men, 
he has lelt the impress of his mind upon the age in which 
he lived ; and there is not a single American, whose heart 
is alive to the emotions of patriotism, but feels it beat Avith 
a quicker and warmer glow, at the mention of his honored 
name. 

Andrew Jackson Avas descended from a Scotch famil3r, 
who emigrated to the north of Ireland, at a very remote 
period. His ancestors suffered many hardships, on ac- 
count of the cruel and arbitrary exactions of the Enghsh 
government. The coutinuance of these grievances, which 
at times almost passed the limits of human endurance, in- 
duced his father, Andrew Jackson, after whom he was 
named, to emigrate to this country, with his wife and two 
sons, Hugh and Robert, in the year 1765. He landed at 
Charleston, in South Carolina, and shortly afterwards pur- 
chased a tract of land, in what was then called the " Wax- 
haw settlement," about forty-five miles above Camden, 
and near the boundary line of North Carolina, where he 
settled with his family. His son, Andrew, was born on 
the loth day of March, 1767, about two years subsequent 
to the arrival of his parents in this country. 

Soon after the birth of young Andrew, his father died; 
leavin<r him. and his two V»rntbers. to the sole care am 



HIS YOUTH. 19 

guardianship of their mother, who appears to have been 
a most exemplary" woman. She possessed many excellent 
qualities, both of head and heart ; and her children were, 
early in life, deeply imbued with the straight forward 
resoluteness of purpose, and Spartan heroism of character, 
for which she was distinguished. Among the many noble 
mothers, whose sons have reaped the rich harvest of re- 
own springing from the seed planted by their hands, 
one deserve higher praise or commendation. To the 
lessons she inculcated on the youthful minds of her sons, 
may, in a great measure, be attributed that fixed opposi- 
tion to British tyranny and oppression, which they after- 
wards manifested. Often would she spend the winter 
evenings, in recounting to them the sufferings of their 
grandfather at the siege of Carrickfergus, and the oppres- 
sions exercised by the nobility of Ireland over the laboring 
poor; impressing it upon them as a first duty, to expend 
their lives, if it should become necessary, in defending 
and supporting the natural rights of man. 

As the}^ inherited but a small patrimony from their 
father, it was impossible that all the sons could receive an 
expensive education. The two eldest, therefore, were 
only taught the rudiments of their mother tongue, at a 
common country school. But Andrew, being intended 
by his mother for the ministry, was sent to a flourishing 
academy at the Waxhaw meeting-house, superintended 
by JMr. Humphries. Here he was placed on the study 
of the dead languages, and continued until the revolu- 
tionary war, extending its ravages into that section of 
South Carolina where he then was, rendered it necessary 
that every one should either betake himself to the Ameri- 
can standard, seek protection with the enemy, or flee his 
country. 

When the revolutionary war first broke out, in 1775, 
Andrew Jackson was but eight years old, and it was a 
long time before its horrors were felt in the immediate 
vicinity of his residence. But from his youth up, he was 
familiar with the story of the repeated aggressions and 
insults, which forced the American colonists to resort to 
the kst remedy of an injured people. He eagerly listened 



20 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

to the thrilling accounts that reached his quiet neighbor- 
hood, of the heroic deeds performed by his brave country- 
men, at Lexington and Bunker-hill, Saratoga and Mon- 
mouth ; and while he listened, his heart burned with the 
fire of an incipient patriotism, to avenge the wrongs of his 
native land. The young and middle-aged men around 
him were constantly training themselves for any emer- 
gency, and his mother encouraged, rather than checked, 
his growing passion for a soldier's life, instead of the 
peaceful profession for w4iich he was designed. It was a 
critical time in the destinies of the infant repubhc, and she 
required the aid of every stout hand and strong heart, 
whether it beat beneath the surplice of the priest, or the 
rough habiliments of the back-woodsman. 

An opportunity was soon afforded, for him to gratify his 
ardent desire of mingling in the deadly strife which had 
imbrued the American soil with blood. South Carolina 
was invaded by the British, under General Prevost, in 
1779, and in the month of May of the following year, Co- 
lonel Buford and about four hundred men under his com- 
mand were overtaken by Colonel Tarleton, who had been 
despatched to cut off the party by Lord Cornwallis, with 
a force of seven hundred men, and an indiscriminate 
slaughter ensued, although little or no resistance was of- 
fered. Many begged for quarter in vain. The only an- 
swer was a stroke of the sabre, or a thrust of the bayonet. 
This act of atrocious barbarity was followed by others of 
a similar character. Men could not sleep in their own 
houses unguarded, without danger of surprise and murder. 
Even boys, who were stout enough to carry muskets, were 
induced, by a regard for their own safety, as well as from 
inclination, to incur the dangers of men. Young Jackson 
and his brothers had their guns and horses, and were 
almost always in company with some armed party of their 
kindred or neighbors. Hugh, who was the eldest of the 
three, was present at the battle of Stono, and lost his life, 
from the excessive heat of the weather and the fatigue of 
the day. Shortly after this event, Mrs. Jackson retired 
before the invading arm}^ with her two remaining sons, 
Robert and Andrew, into North Carolina. She remained 



ATTEMPTED SURPRISE OF CAPTAIN LANDS. 21 

there but a short time, and, on returning to the Waxhaws, 
both Robert and Andrew joined the American army, and 
were present at the battle of Hanging Rock, on the sixth 
of August, 1780, in which the corps to which they be- 
longed particularly distinguished itself. In the month 
of September, Mrs. Jackson and her sons, with most of the 
Waxhaw settlers, were again compelled to retire into 
North Carolina ; from which they returned in February, 
1781, as soon as they heard that Lord Cornwallis had 
crossed the Yadkin. 

It was during the trying scenes of this period of the 
revolutionary struggle, that Andrew Jackson gave the 
first illustration of that quickness of thought, and prompt- 
nude of action, which afterwards placed him in the front 
rank of military commanders. A Whig captain, named 
Lands, who had been absent from home for some time, 
desired to spend a night with his family. Robert and 
Andrew Jackson, with one of the Crawfords, and five 
others, constituted his guard. There were nine men and 
seven muskets. Having no special apprehensions of an 
attack, they lay down on their arms, and, with the ex- 
ception of a British deserter, who was one of the party, 
went to sleep. Lands' house was in the centre of an 
enclosed yard, and had two doors, facing east and west. 
Before the east door stood a forked apple-tree. In the 
southwest corner of the yard were a corncrib and stable 
under one roof, ranofinfr east and west. On the south was 
a wood, and through it passed the road by which the 
house was approached. 

A party of Tories became apprized of Lands' return, 
and determined to surprise and kill him. Approaching 
through the wood, and tying their horses behind the 
stable, they divided into two parties, one advancing round 
the east end of the stable towards the east door of the 
house, and the other round the west end towards the west 
door. At this moment, the wakeful soldier, hearing a 
noise in the direction of the stable, Avent out to see what 
was the matter, and perceived the party which were en- 
tering the yard at the east end of the building. Running 
back in terror, he seized Andrew Jackson, who was near- 



23 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

est the door, by the hair, exclaiming, "The Tories are 
upon us." Our young hero ran out, and, putting his gun 
through the fork of the apple-tree, hailed the approaching 
band. Having repeated his hail without an answer, and 
perceiving the party rapidly advancing and but a few rods 
distant, he fired. A volley was returned, which killed the 
soldier, who, having aroused the inmates of the house, had 
followed young Jackson, and was standing near him. The 
other band of Tories had now emerged from the west end 
of the stable, and mistaking the discharge of the advance 
party, then nearly on a line between them and the apple- 
tree, for the fire of a sallying party from the house, com- 
menced a sharp fire upon their own friends. Thus both 
parties were brought to a stand. Young Andrew, after 
discharging his gun, returned into the house ; and, with 
two others, commenced a fire from the west door, where 
both of his companions were shot down, one of them with 
a mortal wound. The Tories still kept up the fire upon 
each other, as well as upon the house, until, startled by 
the sound of a cavalry bugle in the distance, they betook 
themselves to their horses, and fled. The charge was 
sounded by a Major Isbel, who had not a man with him, 
but, hearing the firing, and knowing that Lands was at- 
tacked, he gave the blast upon his trumpet to alarm the 
assailants. 

The British commander, having been advised of the 
return of the Waxhaw settlers, despatched Major Coffin, 
with a corps of light dragoons, a compan}'- of infantry, and 
a considerable number of Tories, for their capture and 
destruction. Hearing of their approach, the settlers ap- 
pointed the Waxhaw meeting-house as a place of rendez- 
vous, and about forty of them, among whom were the 
two Jacksons, had assembled there on the day appointed, 
and were waiting for a friendly company under Captain 
Nisbett. When the enemy approached, their commanding 
officer placed the Tories in front, in order to conceal the 
dragoons ; and the little band of settlers were completely 
deceived by the stratagem. Supposing the reinforcement 
for which they had been waiting was approaching, they 
were prepared to welcome them as friends, but the mo- 



TAKEN PRISONER BY THE BRITISH 23 

merit after they discovered their unfortunate mistake. 
Eleven of the number were taken prisoners, and the rest 
sought for safety in flight. The two Jacksons were 
among those who escaped, and temporarily eluded pur- 
suit. They remained together during the ensuing night, 
and on the approach of morning concealed themselves in 
a thicket on the bank of a small creek, not far from the 
ouse of Lieutenant Crawford, who had been wounded 
nd made prisoner. Becoming very hungry, they left 
their horses in the wood, and ventured out to Craw- 
ford's for food. But a party of Tories, who were well 
acquainted with the country, and the passes through 
the forest, unfortunately passed the creek, in the mean 
time, at the very point where the horses and baggage had 
been Jeft ; and, guided by one of their number, whose 
name was Johnson, they approached the house, in com- 
pany with a small body of dragoons, and presented them- 
selves at the door, before the young Jacksons were aware 
of their approach. 

Resistance and flight were alike hopeless, and neither 
was attempted. Mrs. Crawford, with several children, 
one of whom was at the breast, were the inmates of the 
house. A scene of destruction immediately took place. All 
the glass, crockery, and other furniture, were dashed in 
pieces. The beds were ripped open, and the feathers 
scattered to the winds. The clothing of the whole family, 
men, women, and children, was cut and torn into frag- 
ments. Even the children's clothes shared the fate of 
the rest. Mercy for the wife and little ones of a hus- 
band and father, w^ho was already wounded and in 
their hands, and doomed to imprisonment, if not death, 
touched not the hearts of these remorseless men, and no- 
thing was left to the terrified and wretched family, but the 
clothes they had on, and a desolate habitation. No attempt 
was made, by the British officer commanding, to arrest 
this destruction. While it was in progress, he ordered 
Andrew Jackson to clean his muddy boots. The young 
soldier refused, claiming to be treated with the respec. 
due to a prisoner of war. Instead of admiring this manly 
spirit in one so young, the cowardly ruffian struck at his 



24 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

head with his sword ; but, throwing up his left hand, the 
intended victim received a gash upon it, the scar of which 
he carried to the grave. Turning to Robert Jackson, the 
officer ordered him to perform the menial task, and, re- 
ceiving a hke refusal, aimed a furious blow at his head 
also, and inflicted a wound from which he never recovered. 

After these exhibitions of ferocity, the party set Andrew 
Jackson upon a horse, and ordered him, on pain of instant 
death, to lead them to the house of a well-known Whig, . 
by the name of Thompson. Apprehending that Thomp- 
son was at home, it occurred to his young friend that he 
might save him by a stratagem. At that time, when men 
were at home, they generally kept a look-out to avoid sur- 
prise, and had a horse ready for flight. Instead of leading 
the parly by the usual route, young Andrew took them 
through woods and fields, which brought them over an 
eminence in sight of the house, at the distance of half a 
mile. On reaching the summit, he beheld Thompson's 
horse tied to his rack, a sure sign that his owner was at 
home. The British dragoons darted forward, and, in 
breathless apprehension, Andrew Jackson kept his eye 
upon Thompson's horse. With inexpressible joy, he saw 
Thompson, while the dragoons were still a few hundred 
yards distant, rush out, mount his horse, dash into the 
creek which ran foaming by, and in a minute ascend the 
opposite bank. He was then out of pistol shot,. and as 
his pursuers dared not swim the rapid stream, he stopped 
long enough to shout execration and defiance, and then 
rode leisurely off. 

Andrew Jackson and his brother, with about twenty 
other prisoners, were mounted on captured horses, and 
started for Camden, over forty miles distant. Not a mouth- 
ful of food, or drop of water, was given them on the route. 
The streams which they forded had been swollen by re- 
cent rains ; but when they stooped to take up a little wa- 
ter in the palms of their hands, to assuage their burning 
thirst, they were ordered to desist by the brutal guard. 

Arrived at Camden, they were confined, with about two 
hundred and fifty other prisoners, in a redoubt surround- 
ing the jail, and overlooking the country to the north. No 



IMPRISONMENT AT CAMDEN. 25 

attention was paid to their wounds or their wants. They 
had no beds, nor any substitute ; and their only food was 
a scanty supply of bad bread. They were robbed of a 
portion of their clothing, taunted by Tories with being- re- 
bels, and assured that they would be hanged. Andrew 
Jackson himself was stripped of his jacket and shoes. 
With a refinement of cruelty, the Jacksons and their cou- 
sin, Thomas Crawford, two of them severely wounded, 
were separated as soon as their relationship was known, 
and kept in perfect ignorance of each other's condition or 
fate. In aggravation of their sufferings, the small-pox 
made its appearance among them. Not a step was taken 
to stay its progress or mitigate its afflictions. Without 
physicians or nurses, denied even the kind attentions and 
sympathy of relatives who were fellow-prisoners, their 
keepers left them to perish, not only without compassion, 
but with apparent satisfaction. 

One day Andrew Jackson was sunning himself in the 
entrance of his prison, when the officer of the guard, ap- 
parently struck with his youthful appearance, entered 
into conversation with him. With characteristic energy, 
the fearless lad described to him. the condition of the pri- 
soners ; and among the rest, their sufferings from the 
scantiness and bad quahty of their food. Immediately 
meat was added to their bread, and there was otherwise a 
decided improvement. The Provost was a Tory from 
New York ; and it was afterwards alleged that he with- 
held the meat he had contracted to supply for the support 
of the prisoners, to feed a gang of negroes, which he had 
collected from the plantations of the Whigs, with intent 
to convert them to his own use. 

During the confinement of the Waxhaw prisoners at 
Camden, General Greene made his unsuccessful attack on 
the British forces at that post under Lord Rawdon. The 
American army was encamped on Hobkirk's Hill, about a 
mile distant, and in full view of the redoubt in which the 
prisoners were confined. On the morning of the 24th of 
April, Andrew Jackson became convinced, from what he 
saw and heard,- that a battle was soon to take place. He 
was exceedingly anxious to witness the conflict, but the 

2 



26 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

thick plank fence that extended around the redoubt, com- 
pletely shut out the view of the surrounding country. 
Determined that he would not be foiled in his wish, he 
set himself at work with an old razor-blade, which had 
been given to the prisoners to eat their rations with, and 
by working the greater part of the night, he contrived 
to cut one of the knots out of a plank, and through this 
obtained a view of Greene's encampment, and of the san- 
guinary struggle which took place on the following day. 

In a few days after the battle before Camden, the two 
Jacksons were released, in pursuance of a {)artial exchange 
effected by the intercessions and exertions of their mother, 
and Captain WalK'er of the militia. While he was con- 
fined in prison, Robert had suffered greaily from the wound 
in his head which had never been dressed. Inflamma- 
tion of the brain soon after ensued, which brought him 
to his grave, in a few days after his liberation. The mo- 
ther also, worn out with anxiety and solicitude for her chil- 
dren, and her incessant efforts to relieve the sufferings of 
the prisoners who had been brought from her own neigh- 
borhood, was taken sick, and expired in a few week;, 
near the lines of the enemy in the vicinity of Charlestou, 
These repeated afflictions were keenly felt by young 
Jackson, and it was some time before he entirely reco- 
vered from the shock occasioned by so sudden a bereave- 
ment. He was tenderly attached to his mother and bro- 
ther, and as they were his only relatives, their death must 
have been a severe blow to him. The buoyanc}' of youth, 
however, enabled him to beat up manfully against mis- 
fortune, and he soon after entered into the enjoyment of 
his estate, which, though small, was sufficient to have 
given him a liberal education. Unfortunately he had be- 
come quite intimate with a number of the most polished 
citizens of Charleston, who had retired to the Waxhaw 
settlement, during the occupation of that city by the Bri- 
tish, and had contracted habits, and imbibed tastes, which 
it was unwise in him to indulge. He accompanied his 
friends on their return to Charleston ; and, as he deter- 
mined not to be outdone by his associates, his money was 
expended so profusely that his whole patrimony was 



HIS PECUNIARY DIFFICULTIES. 27 

soon exhausted, and he was left with nothing but a fine 
horse which he had taken from the Waxhaws. The ani- 
mal itself was at length staked against a sum of money, in 
a game of " rattle and snap." Jackson won the game ; 
and, forming a sudden resolution, he pocketed the money, 
bade adieu to his friends, and returned home. 

This occurrence look place in the winter of 1784, and 
immediately after his return to the Waxhaws, Jackson 
collected the remains of his little property, with the in- 
tention of acquiring a profession, and preparing himself 
to enter on the busy scenes of Ufe. After pursuing the' 
study of the languages, and other desultory branches of 
education, under Mr. McCulloch, in that part of Carolina 
which was then called the New Acquisition, near Hill's 
Iron Works, for several months, he concluded to abandon 
the pulpit for which he had been designed by his mother, 
and embraced the legal profession. In pursuance of this 
determination, he repaired to Salisbury, in North Carolina, 
and commenced the study of the law, under Spruce McCay, 
Esq., afterwards one of the judges of that state, and sub- 
sequently continued it under Colonel John Stokes. Flav- 
ing remained at Salisbury until the winter of 1786, he 
obtained a license from the judges to practice law, and 
continued in the state until the spring of 1788. As an 
evidence of the estimation in which his talents were at 
that time held by the influential men of North Carolina, 
he soon after received from the governor the appointment 
of Solicitor for the western district of that state, of which 
the present state of Tennessee then formed a part. 

The observations he was enabled to make while en- 
gaged in the study of his profession, had convinced him 
that North Carolina presented few inducements to a youno* 
attorney ; and recollecting that he stood solitary in life, 
without relations to aid him in the outset, when innumer- 
able difficulties arise and retard success, he determined to 
seek a new country. But for this he might have again 
returned to his native state. The death, however, of 
every relation he had, had wiped away all those endear- 
ing recollections and circumstances which attach the mind 
to the place of its nativity. The western district of the 



28 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

state was often spoken of, as presenting flattering prospects 
to adventurers, and his official appointment in that quarter 
happened quite opportunely to enable him to carry out 
his intention of visiting that section of the country. In 
the year 1788, at the age of twenty-one years, he ac- 
companied Judge McNairy, who was going out to hold 
the first Supreme Court that had ever sat in the district. 
Having reached the Holston, they ascertained that it would 
be impossible to arrive at the time appointed for the ses- 
sion of the court ; and therefore took up their residence, 
for some time, at Jonesborough, then the principal seat of 
justice in the western district. They recommenced their 
journey, in October, 1789, and passing through an ex- 
tensive uninhabited country, reached Nashville in the 
same month. 



SETTLEMENTS ON THE CUMBERLAND, S9 



CHAPTER II. 

1789. Early settlements on the Cumberland — Hardships endured by 
Jackson, in the discharge of his official duties — Escape from the 
Indians — His presence of mind — Adventures in the wilderness — 
Locates at Nashville — Fruitless attempts to intimidate him — Indian 
depredations — Becomes acquainted with Mrs. Robards — His mar- 
riage — A member of the Tennessee convention — Chosen a senator 
in Congress — His resignation, and appointment as a judge of the 
Supreme Court — Firmness and decision of character as a judge — 
Difficulty with Governor Sevier — Resigns his office, and devotes 
himself to agricultural pursuits. 1804. 

At the time of the first visit made by Andrew Jackson, 
to the infant settlements on the Cumberland river, includ- 
ing that at French creek, near the present site of Nash- 
ville, ahnost all the settlers were residing in stations, and 
it was several years before it was entirely safe for them 
to spread over the country, and live in separate cabins. 
While the Shawanese from the north were carrying on 
perpetual war with the settlers in Kentucky, the Chero- 
kees and Choctaws from the south were wreaking their 
vengeance on the intruders upon their hunting-grounds 
in Tennessee. Twenty-two times during this period of 
danger and blood, did General Jackson, in the performance 
of his public and private duties, cross the wilderness of 
two hundred miles, then intervening between Jonesborough 
and the settlements on the Cumberland. The hardships 
and perils of those journeys it is difficult for travellers at 
the present day duly to appreciate. 

In addition to his rider, with a leaded rifle on his 
shoulder, the patient horse carried upon his back his 
master's blankets, provisions, and equipments. His food 
was the foliage of the bushes and the native grass. At a 
fire kindled from a tinder-box, or the flash of his rifle, the 
traveller roasted his bacon or wild meat on a stick, and cut 



30 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

It with his hunter's knife, while his fingers served him 
instead of forks. Wrapped in his blanket, with his rifle 
for a bed-fellow, and his horse standing by, he slept, with 
no roof to protect him but the boughs of the forest. With- 
out a water-proof hat or India-rubber coat, he was drenched 
to the skin by the falHng rain. Often when he was hungry 
with fasting, and a dehcions pheasant, or plump deer was 
before him, he dared not kill it, lest the report of his rifle 
should give notice of his presence to a lurking savage. 

At one time when Jackson was traversing the wilder- 
ness alone, he came, after night, and amid torrents of rain, 
to a creek, the noise of whose tumbling waters, already 
swollen to a great depth, warned him not to attempt cross- 
ing the ford. Dismounting from his horse, and turning his 
saddle bottom upward, at the root of a tree, he wrapped 
his blanket around him, and with his rifie in one hand and 
his bridle in the other, sat upon it, with his horse stand- 
ing before him, listening to the roaring stream and the 
pattering of the raindrops on the leaves of the forest, until 
the return of day enabled him to proceed. 

On another occasion, he was in company with three 
companions, on his way from Jonesborough to the Cum- 
berland. They arrived, just after dark, at the east side of 
the Emory, where it issues from the mountains, and dis- 
covered the fires of a large parly of hostile Indians on the 
opposite bank. The moment the discovery was made, 
Andrew Jackson, as if by instinct, assumed the direction 
of the party. He enjoined silence and instant retreat, and 
having retired some distance into the mountains, directed 
his companions to quit the road cautiously and at different 
points, so as to leave no distinct trace behind them, and to 
reunite, and proceed up the stream, for the purpose of 
crossing at some ford above and eluding the Indians. 
Guided by the noise of the waters, they progressed up 
ward among the mountains during the night, and, as soon 
as it was day, approached the stream. They found it too 
much swollen to be forded, and too rapid to be swam. 
Still apprehensive of pursuit, they resumed their march, 
and about two o'clock in the afternoon reached a place 
where the stream, after dashing over a rough precipice. 



INCIDExVTS OF THE WILDERNESS. 31 

spread out with a lake-like surface, broken at a short dis- 
tance below by another cataract. Here the party, not 
feeling safe until their trail was broken by the intervening 
stream, determined to attempt a passage. Binding logs 
and bushes together with hickory withes, they soon con- 
structed a small raft sufficient to convey three or four men, 
and affixed two rude oars to the bows, and one as a steer- 
ing-oar or rudder to the stern. It was cold, March weather, 
and very important to keep their clothes, blankets, and 
saddles, as well as their rifles and powder, from getting 
wet. To that end, it was concluded that Jackson and one 
of his companions should first cross with every thing but 
the horses, and that on a second trip, they should be swam 
over alongside the raft. The craft was freighted accord- 
ingly, and pushed off from shore ; but in an instant, an 
irresistible under-current seized the rude flotilla, and hurled 
it down the stream. For a few moments, Jackson, who 
was at the oars, regardless of the shouts of his companions, 
who followed him downward on the bank, struggled with 
the flood ; but, perceiving that farther effort could only 
end in destruction, he reversed the direction of the raft, in 
the hope of reaching the shore he had left. Notwith- 
standing he exerted all his strength, he was unable to 
bring it to land ; and although within a few feet, the suck 
of the cataract had already seized it. A moment more, 
and the raft, with its passengers, would have been dashed 
in pieces, when Jackson, wrenching one of his oars from 
its fastenings, sprung to the stern, and bracing himself 
there, held it out to his companions on shore, who seized 
it, and brought them safe to land. Being reproached 
for not heeding their first warnings, Jackson coolly re- 
plied : " A miss is as good as a mile ; you see how near I 
can graze danger. Come on, and I will save you yet." 
Re-equipping themselves and horses, they resumed their 
march up the stream ; and after spending another night, 
supperless, in the woods, found a ford the next day, and, 
by a circuitous route, reached a log cabin on the road, 
about forty miles in the rear of the Indian encampment. 

At another time, he reached Bean's station, the rendez- 
vous of a party with whorr he was to cross the wilderness, 



32 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

on the evening after they had left. Determined to overtake 
them, he employed a guide well acquainted with Indian 
signs and stratagems, and travelled all night. Just before 
day, they came to the fires where the party had encamped 
the first part of the night. Following on, they soon dis- 
covered, by the trail in the road, that a party of Indians, 
about twenty-two in number, were in pursuit of their 
friends ahead. They hastened forward rapidly, until they 
approached so near the Indians that the water, which the 
weight of their tread had pressed out of the rotten logs, 
was not yet dry. The guide now refused to proceed ; 
but Jackson resolved to save his friends, or, at least, hazard 
his life in the attempt. Dividing provisions, he and his 
guide proceeded in opposite directions, Jackson cautiously 
advancing, and watching the tracks of the Indians. At 
length he saw where they had turned ofT to the right, 
probably for the purpose of getting ahead of the party, 
and attacking them from ambush, or falling upon them in 
the night. The danger was imminent, and pressing on 
with increased speed, he overlook his friends before dark. 
Having crossed a stream which was very deep and partly 
frozen over, thej'- had halted and kindled fires, at which 
they w^ere drying their clothes and baggage. Warned of 
their danger, they immediately resumed their march, and 
continued it without intermission, during the w^hole night 
and the next day. The sky was overcast with clouds, 
and in the evening it began to snow. While upon the 
route, they arrived at the log cabins of a party of hunters, 
and requested shelter and protection ; but, contrary to 
their expectations, for such churlishness was unusual 
among men of their class, they were rudely refused. The 
party were therefore compelled to bivouac in the forest. 
Jackson was wearied with his fatiguing march, and as he 
had not closed his eyes for two nights, he wrapped him- 
self in his blanket, and laid down upon the ground, where 
he slept soundly. When he awoke in the morning, he 
found himself covered with six inches of snow. 

The party resumed their march, and reached their des 
tination in safety ; but they afterwards learned that the 



ESTABLISHES HIMSELF AT NASHVILLE. 33 

hunters, who had refused them the hospitahty of their 
cabins, had been murdered by tlie Indians. 

In the course of his frequent professional visits made 
from Jonesborough to the settlement on the Cumberland, 
the advantaoes of Nashville as a suitable locality in which 
to estabhsh himself, attracted Jackson's notice, and he con- 
cluded to make it his future place of residence. It had 
not been his original intention to locate permanently in 
Tennessee, His visit was merely experimental, and his 
stay remained to be determined by the prospect that might 
be disclosed : but finding, soon after his arrival, that a con- 
siderable opening was offered for the success of a young 
attorney, he decided to remain. To a person of refined feel- 
ino-s, the condition of thin2:s was far from encouraofinsf. As 
must be the case in all newly settled countries, society was 
loosely formed, and united by but few of those ties which 
have a tendency to enforce the performance of moral duty, 
and the execution of strict and impartial justice. The 
young men of the place, who were adventurers from dif- 
ferent sections of the union, had become deeply indebted 
to the merchants. There was but one lawyer in the 
country, and they had so contrived as to retain him in 
their business ; the consequence was, that the merchants 
were entirely deprived of the means of enforcing against 
those gentlemen the execution of their contracts. In this 
state of things, Jackson made his ap})earance at Nashville, 
and, while the creditor class looked to it with great satis- 
faction, the debtors were sorely displeased. Applications 
were immediately made to him for his professional ser- 
vices, and on the morning after his arival, he issued 
seventy writs. To those prodigal gentlemen it was an 
alarming circumstance ; their former security was im- 
paired ; but that it might not wholly depart, they deter- 
mined to force him, in some way or other, to leave the 
country ; and to effect this, broils and quarrels with him 
were resorted to. 

In the state of society then existing in Tennessee, there 
was a grade of men who prided themselves on their 
courage and prowess, as mere bullies, and were always 
ready, like the brute beast, to decide the question of su- 

2* 



34 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

periority, by a fight. Equals in standing, who hated, but 
dared not encounter the fearless Jackson, stimulated this 
class of men to attack, in the hope of degrading, if they 
could not destroy him. The first man set upon him, with 
scarcely a pretence of provocation, was a fiax-breaker of 
great strength and courage, whom he soon reduced to 
submission with his own winding-blades, the only weapon 
within his reach. His next encounter was at a court in 
Sumner county, with a noted bully whom he did not' 
know. While he was conversing with a gentleman, on 
business, the bully approached, and without saying a 
word, placed his heels on Jackson's feet. Pushing him 
ofT, Jackson seized a slab, and with a forward thrust upon 
the breast, brought him to the ground. The interference 
of the crowd put an end to the conflict ; but the baffled 
bully, snatching a slake from the fence, again approached 
with dreadful imprecations. At the earnest entreaty of 
Jackson, the crowd retired from between them. Poising 
his slab, he then advanced, with a firm step and steady 
eye, upon his antagonist, who dropped his stake at his 
approach, jumped over the fence, and ran into the woods. 

These attempts to intimidate Jackson in the perform- 
ttnce of what he conceived to be his duty to his clients, 
were found wholly unavailing, and were soon abandoned. 
His enemies were convinced by the first controversy in 
which ihey had involved him, that his decision and firm- 
ness were such as to leave no hope of effecting any thing 
through this channel. Disregarding the opposition mani- 
fested towards him, he continued, with care and industry, 
to press forward in his professional course ; and his atten- 
tion soon brought him forward, and introduced him to a 
profitable practice. The western district of North Caro- 
lina havinir been ceded to the national jjovernment, an 
erected into a territory, in 1790, Jackson was appointed, b^ 
president Washington, the United States attorney for the 
new judicial district, in which capacity he continued to 
act for several years. 

The depredations committed by the Indians, in the vici- 
nity of the Cumberland river, about this time, compelled 
every man, of necessity, to become a soldier. Unassisted 



INDIAN DEPREDATIONS. 35 

by the government, the settlers were forced to rely, for 
security, on their own bravery and exertions. Althouo-h 
young, no person was more distinguished than Andrew 
Jackson, in defending the country against these predatory 
incursions of the savages, who continually harassed the 
frontiers, and not unfrequently approached the heart of 
the settlements, which were thin, but not widely extended. 
Frequent expeditions were undertaken from Nashville 
against them, in most of which he took part. This state 
of things continued until 1794, when a large party, among 
whom was Jackson, attacked and destroyed the Indian 
town of Nickajak, near the Tennessee river. In these 
affairs, his courage and gallantry were so conspicuous, 
that the red warriors gave him the appellation of "Sharp 
Knife," and the hardy hunters who accompanied him 
were proud of his friendship and esteem. 

When Jackson first located himself in Nashville, he 
boarded, in company with the late Judge Overton, in the 
family of Mrs. Donelson, a widow lady who had emigrated 
from Virginia, first to Kentucky, and afterwards to Nash- 
ville. Mrs. Robards, her daughter, who afterwards be- 
came the wife of Jackson, was then living in the family 
with her mother, whom she had followed to Tennessee, 
on account of the ill treatment which she had received at 
the hands of her husband, who was dissipated in his ha- 
bits and of a morose and jealous disposition, while she, 
on the contrary, was celebrated for her gayeiy, sweetness, 
and affability. A short time before Jackson became an 
inmate of the family, a reconciliation had taken place be- 
tween Robards and his wife'; but a second rupture afterwards 
occurred, and Robards went to Kentucky. His wife soon 
learned that he intended to compel her to accompany him, 
and, in the spring of 1791, with the advice of lier friends, 
she determined to descend the river as for as Natchez, in 
company with Colonel Stark, who was then making pre- 
parations for the voyage. At the earnest request of Colo- 
nel Stark, Jackson piloted his family through the Indian 
country. After his return, Judge Overton communicated 
to him the astounding intelligence, that he was the uncon- 



36 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

scious cause of the last separation ; that it arose from Ro- 
bards' jealousy of him ; and that the circumstance of his 
accompanying Colonel Stark, who was an elderly man, and 
apprehensive of danger, had been seized upon by Robards 
as a ground of divorce, in a petition to the Virginia legis 
lature. 

The thought that an innocent woman was suffering so 
unjustly on his account, made Jackson's sensitive mind 
most uneasy and unhappy. He immediately sought out 
Robards and expostulated with him, on the injustice and 
cruelty of his causeless suspicion ; but the interview ended 
in mutual defiances. At length news came that the Vir- 
ginia legislature had actually granted the divorce in ao* 
cordance with Robards' petition. Forthwith Jackson has- 
tened to Natchez, and offered his hand and his heart to the 
innocent and amiable woman, who had been made so un- 
happy by false and unfounded accusations, in order that 
he might give the world the highest evidence in his' power 
of her entire innocence. 

Although free to form a new connection, Mrs. Robards 
declined the proffered offer. But her suitor was not to be 
denied. His feelings were warmly enhsted in her favor. 
His attachment for her was ardent and sincere, and when 
he addressed her in the lanofuage of Ruth to Naomi : 
" Entreat me not to leave thee or to return from following 
after thee, for where thou goest I will go, where thou 
lodgest I will lodge, thy people shall be my people, and 
thy God my God ; where thou diest I will die, and there 
will I be buried," she found herself unable to resist his 
importunities, and they were soon after married and re- 
turned to Tennessee. On arriving there, it was discovered 
that all the necessary forms to complete the divorce in 
Virginia had not been finished at the time of the marriage; 
consequently the ceremony was again performed after 
their arrival at Nashville. The attachment thus consum- 
mated was a source of unfailing pleasure to Andrew Jack- 
son. He was devotedly fond of his wife ; after her decease 
he cherished her memory with an almost holy reverence; 
and he refused the sarcophagus of the Emperor Severus, 



CHOSEN A SENATOR IN CONGRESS. 37 

that he might not be denied the privilege of being buried 
by her side.* 

In the year 1790, measures Avere taken by the people 
of Tennessee to form a state government. The acknow- 
ledged talents, patriotism, and decision of character, of 
Andrew Jackson were not to be overlooked on such an 
occasion, and without solicitation on his part, he was 
elected one of the members of the convention to frame a 
state constitution. His good conduct and zeal for the 
public interest, and the republican feelings and sentiments 
which were conspicuously manifested in the formation and 
arrangement of this instrument, brought him more pro- 
minently to view ; and, without proposing or soliciting 
the office, he was in the same year elected a member of 
the House of Representatives in Congress, for the state 
of Tennessee. The following year, his reputation con- 
tinuing to increase, and his constituents generally concur- 
ring in the wish to elevate him to still higher honors, he 
was chosen a senator in Congress, and took his seat on the 
22d day of November, 1797. About the middle of April, 
1798, business of an important and private nature im- 
posed on him the necessity of asking leave of absence, 
and returning home. Leave was granted, and before the 
next session he resigned his seat. He was but little more 
than thirty years of age ; and nence scarcely ehgibleby the 
constitution, at the time he was elected. The sedition law, 
about which so much concern and feeling had been mani- 
fested through the country, was introduced into the senate 
by Mr. Lloyd, of Maryland, in June, 1798, and passed 
that body on the 4th of July following ; hence the name 
of Jackson, owing to his absence from his seat, does not 
appear on the journals. At the time of the passage of 
the alien law, and the effort to repeal the stamp act, he 
was present, and voted with the minority, in accordance 
with his well-known republican sentiments. 

Shortly after his resignation of the office of senator, the 
legislature of Tennessee, most unexpectedly to himself, 
conferred upon him the appointment of judge of the Su- 

^— ^ — ■ — ■ — — -—^ — — -■ ■■y 

* See page 373. 



38 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

preme Court, a station which he accepted with reluctance, 
and from which he withdrew at an early day. His first 
court was held at Jonesborough, where an incident oc- 
curred, illustrative alike of the rudeness of the times and 
the firmness of the new judge : 

A man named Russell Bean was indicted for cutting off 
the ears of his infant child in a drunken frolic. He was 
in the courtyard ; but such was his strength and ferocity, 
that the sheriff', not daring to approach him, made a return 
to the court that " Russell Bean will not be taken." Judge 
Jackson, with his peculiar emphasis, said that such a re- 
turn was an absurdity, and could not be received. " He 
must be taken," said the judge, "and, if necessary, you 
must summon the posse comitatus.^^ The mortified 
sheriff retired, and waiting until the court adjourned for 
dinner, summoned the judges themselves, as part of the 
posse. Conceiving that the object of the sherifTwas to 
avoid a dangerous service, under cover of the judges' re- 
fusal to obey the summons. Judge Jackson instantly replied, 
" Yes, sir, I will attend you, and see that you do youi 
duty." Learning that Bean was armed, he requested ' 
loaded pistol, which was put into his hand. He the 
said to the sheriff': "Advance and arrest him ; I will pre 
tect you from harm." Bean, armed with a dirk and bract 
of pistols, assumed an attitude of defiance and despera- 
tion. But when the judge drew near, he began to retreat. 
"Stop and submit to the law," cried the judge. The cul- 
prit stopped, threw down his pistols, and rephed, "I will 
surrender to you, sir, but to no one else." This exem- 
plary firmness and decision of Judge Jackson, in main- 
taining the supremacy of the law, produced a happy 
change in the conduct of the turbulent spirits of the vi- 
cinity. 

General Jackson was distinguished throughout his whol 
life for a remarkable fidelity to his friends. This trait in 
his character was strikingly exhibited in the progress of a 
serious difficulty between Governor Sevier and himself, 
which took place in 1803. A misunderstanding arose 
between Jackson and his former friend. Judge McNairy, 
growing out of the agency of the latter in the removal of 



FIRMNESS AND DECISION AS A JUDGE. 39 

general Robertson, one of the oldest and most respected 
jitizens of the state, from the office of agent for the Chicka- 
saw Indians. One of the consequences of that removal 
was, that a Mr. Searcy, who had emigrated to the country 
with them, and continued their steadfast friend, lost his 
office as clerk to the agency, on which he depended for 
support. Not perceiving any public reasons requiring 
this removal, Jackson remonstrated with McNairy on the 
course he had pursued. An altercation ensued, which 
produced an alienation never entirely obliterated. This 
incident added the weight of a respectable and powerful 
family to the hostile interests already arrayed against him. 
Among others who became inimical towards him on 
this account, was John Sevier, governor of the state. 
Sevier was very popular, and being a candidate for re- 
election, in 1803, his exasperation against General Jackson 
was imbibed, in the course of the canvass, by the power- 
ful party which supported him. In East Tennessee it 
had arisen to a high pitch ; and while on his way to 
Jonesborough to hold his court, in the fall of J 803, he was 
informed that a combination had been organized to mob 
him on his arrival. It had no effect but to increase his 
anxiety to reach his destination. Having been sick on 
the road, he pushed forward while scarcely able to sit on 
his horse, and on his arrival at Jonesborough could not 
dismount without assistance. Having a high fever upon 
him, he retired immediately to his room, and lay down 
upon the bed. In a short time a friend called, and in- 
formed him that a regiment of men, headed by Colonel 
Harrison, had assembled to tar and feather him, and 
begged him to lock his door. He immediately rose, threw 
the door wide open, and said to his friend, "Give my 
compHments to Colonel Harrison, and tell him my door is 
open to receive him and his regiment whenever they 
choose to wait upon me ; and I hope the colonel's chivalry 
will induce him to lead his men, and not follow them." 
Upon the delivery of his message, the mob dispersed ; 
and having apologized for the inconsiderate violence of 
his conduct, Harrison remained ever after on good terms 
with General Jackson. 



40 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

His next court was at Knoxville, where the legislature 
was then in session. They had entered into an investi- 
gation of certain land frauds which Jackson had done much 
to defeat, and there was some evidence tending to impli- 
cate the governor, who consequently became still more 
highly exasperated, and determined to revenge himself. 
As Judge Jackson left the court-house on the first day of 
his court, he found a crowd in front, in the midst of whicii 
stood Governor Sevier, with his sword in his hand, ha 
ranguing them in a loud voice. As Jackson advanced, 
the governor turned upon him ; and an altercation en- 
sued, in which insults were given and retorted. Being 
repeatedly defied by the governor to meet him in single 
combat, the general sent him a challenge, which was ac- 
cepted. But in consequence of difiicultie'S on the part of 
the challenged party, as to the time and place of meeting, 
the general published him in the usual form. It was then 
understood, Avithout any formal arrangement, that they 
would meet at a place called Southwest Point, within the 
Indian boundary. Thither the general repaired with a 
single friend. Having waited a couple of days, without 
seeing or hearing of the governor, he resolved to return to 
Knoxville, and bring the quarrel to a close. He had not 
proceeded a mile, however, when he saw the governor 
approaching, escorted bj" about tvventy men. He had 
already prepared another note to the governor, setting 
forth his manifold grievances, and halting in the road, he 
sent his friend forward to deliver it. • The governor re- 
fused to receive it. Out of patience with what he con- 
ceived to be an aggravation of former indignities, the 
general resolved to end the matter on the spot. He was 
armed with a brace of pistols at his saddle-bow, and a 
cane ; the governor with a brace of pistols and a sword. 
Advancing slowly until within one hundred yards of the 
governor, he levelled his cane as ancient knights did their 
spears, put spurs to his horse, and charged upon his an- 
tagonist. Astounded at this bold and unexpected move- 
ment, the governor's friends had not presence of mind 
enough to interpose ; and the governor himself, dismount- 
ing to avoid the shock, trod on the scabbard of his sword, 



RETIRES TO PRIVATE LIFE. 41 

and was rendered incapable of resistance. A rally of his 
attendants prevented any very serious mischief. In the 
governor's party were gentlemen wiio were as much the 
friends of General Jackson as of himself ; and through their 
intercession, all further hostile intentions were abandoned, 
and the parties rode on some miles together. 

On the admission of Tennesset; into the union, it com- 
prised one miliiary division. The death of Major-general 
Conway, which occurred about this time, created a va- 
cancy in the office, which was filled by the election of 
Jackson. This was the only public station he filled for a 
number of years, as, in 1804, he sent in his resignation 
of the judgeship to the legislature, which was accepted in 
July, about six years after his original appointment. Ha 
always distrusted his own abilities as a judge, and was quite 
willing' that others should discharge its intricate and re- 
sponsible duties. Unambitious of obtaining those distinc- 
tions and honors, which young men are usually proud to 
possess, and finding too that his circumstances and con- 
dition in life were not such as to permit his time and at- 
tention to be devoted to public matters, he determined to 
yield them into other hands, and to devote himself to 
agricultural pursuits. He accordingly settled himself on 
an excellent farm, ten miles from Nashville, on the Cum- 
berland river, where for several years he enjoyed all the 
comforts of domestic and social intercourse. Abstracted 
from the busy scenes of public life, pleased with retire- 
ment, surrounded b}'' friends whom he loved, and who 
entertained for him the highest veneration and respect, 
and blessed with an amiable and affectionate wife, nothing 
seemed wanting to the completion of that happiness which 
he so anxiously desired while in office. 



42 LIFE OF JACKSON. 



CHAPTER III. 

1804. Fondness of General Jackson for horses — Duel with Dickinson 
— Forms a mercantile partnership — Pecuniary difficulties — Adven- 
ture with the Choctaw agent — Affray with Colonel Benton — Their 
subsequent friendship for eacli other — Hostilities with Great Britain 
—Declaration of war in 1812 — Jackson raises a volunteer force — 
Their services accepted by government — Ordered to embark for 
Natchez — Arrival of the troops, and order to iisband them — His 
disobedience of orders — Attempt of General V^' ilkinson to prevent 
the return of the volunteers — Ol)ject of the oni^ir — 'Jackson's de- 
cision exhibited — Shares the privations of the so Person their home- 
ward march — Return, and disbandment of his j» -e. 1813. 

General Jackson had a strong passion ' r fine horses, 
and it became a principal branch of his fart ng business, 
to raise them from the best blooded stock luiported from 
Virginia and North Carolina. The enthusiasm of his 
character displayed itself in his attachment to favorite 
animals he had raised, and perhaps no man in the west- 
ern country was equally successful in that branch of agri- 
cultural pursuits. More for the purpose of exhibiting his 
stock and recommending it to purchasers, than to indulge 
in the practices common at such places, he brought out 
his favorite horses upon the race-courses of the day, and, 
though not a sportsman, in the technical sense of the term, 
he lost and won in many a well-contested field. An occa- 
sion of this sort, however, led to one of the most unfor- 
tunate incidents of his life. 

He owned a favorite horse, named Truxton, which \ 
was challenged to run against a horse owned by a Mr. 
Erwin and his son-in-law, Charles Dickinson. The stakes 
were to be two thousand dollars on a side, in cash notes, 
with a forfeiture of eight hundred dollars. The bet was 
accepted, and a list of notes made out; but when the time 
for running arrived, Erwin and Dickinson chose to pay the 



DUEL WITH DICKINSON. 43 

forfeit. Erwin offered sundry notes not due, withholding- 
the h'st which was in the hands of Dickinson. Jackson 
refused to receive them, and demanded the Hst, claiming 
the right to select from the notes described upon it. The list 
was produced, a selection made, and the affair satisfaclo- 
rily adjusted. Afterwards a rumor reached Dickinson, that 
General Jackson charged Erwin with producing a list of 
lotes different from the true one. In an interview between 
ackson and Dickinson, the former denied the statement, 
and the latter gave his author. Jackson instantly proposed 
to call him in ; but Dickinson declined. Meeting with the 
author shortly after, Jackson had an altercation with him, 
which ended in blows. Here the affair ought to have 
ended. But there were those who desired to produce a 
duel between Jackson and Dickinson. The latter was 
brave and reckless, a trader in blacks and blooded horses, 
and reputed to be the best shot in the country. A quar- 
rel with such a man as General Jackson was flattering to 
his pride, and officious friends were not wanting to take 
advantage of the weakness of the one party, and the in- 
flexibility of the other, in order to push matters to extremi- 
ties. Exasperation was produced ; publication followed 
publication ; insults were given and retorted ; until, at 
length, General Jackson was informed that a paper, more 
severe than its predecessors, M'as in the hands of the 
printer, and that Dickinson was about to leave the state. 
He flew to Nashville, and demanded a sight of it in the 
printer's hands. It was msulting in the highest degree, 
contained a direct imputation of cowardice, and concluded 
with a notice that the author would leave for Maryland, 
within the coming week. A stern challenge, demanding 
immediate satisfaction, was the consequence. The chal- 
lenge was given on the 23d of May, and Dickinson's pub- 
hcation appeared the next morning. Jackson pressed for 
an instant meeting ; but it was postponed, at the request 
of the other party, until the 80th, at which time it was 
to take place, at Harrison's Mills, on Red River, within 
the limits of Kentucky. Dickinson occupied the inter- 
mediate time in practicing; and his ferocious boasts, how 
often he had hit the general chalked out on a tree, and his 



44 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

unfeeling offers to bet that he would kill him at the ap- 
proaching meeting, being duly communicated, had an 
effect upon his antagonist which can be better conceived 
than described. Jackson went upon the ground firmly 
impressed with the conviction that his hfe was eagerly 
sought, and in the expectation of losing it, but with a de- 
termination which such a conviction naturally inspired in 
a bosom that never knew fear. At the word, Dickinson 
fired, and the dust was seen to fly from Jackson's clothes; 
the next instant, the latter fired, and Dickinson fell. Jack- 
son, with his friend and surgeon, left the ground, and had 
travelled about twenty miles towards home, when his at- 
tendant first discovered that the general was wounded, by 
seeing the blood oozing through his clothes. On examina- 
tion, it was found that Dickinson's ball had buried itself 
in his breast, and shattered two of his ribs near their arti- 
culation with the breastbone. It was some weeks before 
he was able to attend to business. Dickinson was taken 
to a neighbouring house, where he survived but a few 
hours. 

The friends of Dickinson, and the enemies of Jackson, 
circulated charges of unfairness in the fight, bai ihe-^c 
were soon put down, in the estimation of candid and mi- 
partial judges, by the certificates of the seconds, that all 
had been done according to the previous understanding 
between the parties, and proof that Dickinson himself, 
though able to converse, never uttered a single word of 
complaint before his death. 

The firmness and steadiness of nerve exhibited by Ge- 
neral Jackson on this occasion, have often been the subject 
of commendation, even among those who do not hesitate 
to condemn, in decided terms, the inexcusable practice, 
which was then not only tolerated, but actually encou- 
raged, in that section of the country. There are many 
brave men who can look danger in the face, without the 
change of a muscle ; but there are few who can take a 
sure aim, at the moment when they are conscious of being 
severely wounded. Not a man on the ground, except 
General Jackson himself, knew that he had received a 
wound; and every muscle was as quiet, and his hand as 



ADVENTURE WITH THE CHOCTAW AGENT. 45 

steady, as if he had not known it himself. The stern pur- 
pose which might in part have nerved him, was best de- 
scribed by himself, when a friend expressed astonishment 
at his seJf-command : "Sir," said he, "I should have 
killed him, if he had shot me through the brain." 

Not long- after this occurrence. General Jackson entered 
into partnership with a merchant in Nashville. He took 
no active part in the business himself, and their affairs 
were conducted for some time, without his having any 
more than a general knoAvledge of what was g'oing on. 
Circumstances, however, soon attracted his attention, which 
led him to suspect that all was not right. He promptly 
demanded a full investigation, which resulted in the dis- 
covery that his partner, in whose fidehty and capacity he 
had reposed the most imphcit confidence, had involved him 
for many thousand dollars, over and above what could be 
satisfied out of the partnership property. With a prompt- 
itude which did him great honor, he sold his fine planta- 
tion, paid off his debts with the proceeds of the sale, and 
retired into a W-cabin to beo-in the world anew. His ex- 
traordinary energy and perseverance, and the rigid system 
of economy he adopted, enabled him in a few years to 
recover from his embarrassments, and to be once more com- 
fortable in the world. 

In the year 1811, General Jackson had occasion to visit 
Natchez, in the territory of Mississippi, for the purpose of 
bringing up a number of blacks, a part of whom had be- 
come his property in consequence of having been secu^-ity 
for a friend, and the remainder were hands which had 
been employed by a nephew, in the neighborhood of that 
place. The road led through the country inhabited by 
the Chickasaw and Choctaw Indians, and the station of the 
agent for the Choctaws was upon it. On reaching the 
agency, he found seven or eight families of emigrants, and 
two members of the Mississippi legislative council, detained 
there, under the pretence that it was necessary for tbem 
to have passports from the governor of Mississippi. One 
of their number had been sent forward to procure thf m. 
In the mean time, the emigrants were buying corn fr7m 
.he agent, at an extravagant price, and splitting rails for 



46 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

him at a very moderate one. Indignant at the wrong in- 
flicted, on the emigrants, he reproached the members of 
the council for submitting to the detention, and asked the 
agent how he dared to demand a pass from a free Ame- 
rican, travelling on a pubhc road. The agent replied, by 
inquiring, with much temper, whether he had a pass. 
*' Yes, sir," rejoined the general, " I always carry mine 
with me : I am a free-born American citizen ; and tha 
is a passport all over the world." He then directed th 
emigrants to gear up their wagons, and if any one at- 
tempted to obstruct them, to shoot him down as a highway 
robber. Setting them the example, he continued his jour- 
ney, regardless of the threats of the agent. 

After concluding his business, he was informed that the 
agent had collected about fifty white men and one hundred 
Indians, to stop him on his return, unless he produced a 
passport. Though advised by his friends to procure one, 
he refused to do so ; stating that no American citizen 
should ever be subjected to the insult and indignity of 
procuring a pass, to enable him to travel a public highway 
in his own country. Like all travellers among the In- 
dians, at that time, he was armed with a brace of pistols; 
and having added a rifle, and another pistol, he commenced 
his return journey. When within a few miles of the 
agency, he was informed by a friend who had gone for- 
ward to reconnoitre, that the agent had his force in readi- 
ness to stop him. He directed his friend to advance again, 
and tell the agent, that if he attempted to stop him, it 
would be at the peril of his life. He then put his blacks 
in order, and armed them with axes and clubs ; at the 
same time telling them not to stop unless directed by him, 
and if any one offered to oppose them, to cut him down. 
Riding by their side, he approached the station, when the 
agent appeared, and asked him whether he meant to stop 
and show his passport. Jackson replied : " That depends 
on circumstances. I am told that you mean to stop me 
by force; whoever attempts such a thing will not have 
long to live ;" and with a look that was not to be mistaken, 
he grasped his bridle with a firmer grip. His determined 
manner had such an effect, that the agent declared he had 



AFFRAY WITH COLONEL BENTON. 47 

no intention of stopping him, and he and his party were 
suffered to pass on, without further molestation or inter- 
ruption. He afterwards reported the conduct of the agent 
to the government, and he was dismissed from his agency. 

After the return of General Jackson from Natchez, he 
was called upon by his friend, the late Governor Carroll, 
to act as his second, in an affair of honor with a brother of 
Colonel Thomas H. Benton, for so many years the distin- 
guished representative of the state of Missouri, in the" 
senate of the United States. In the duel, Mr. Benton was 
severely wounded. The colonel, who had long been on 
terms of friendly intimacy with Jackson, thought that the 
latter acted ungenerously, in taking such a part against 
his kinsman, and expressed himself accordingly in a let- 
ter addressed to him. General Jackson, however, felt 
himself bound by the relations which had existed between 
Governor Carroll and himself, to perform the act of friend- 
ship which he required, and rephed to that effect, in very 
pointed terms. The angry correspondence that ensued 
only widened the breach, and it ended in a fight at a pub- 
lic-house in Nashville, in w^hich Jackson's left arm was 
shattered by a pistol shot. For several years afterwards, 
both gentlemen appeared to cherish feelings of animosity 
towards each other, bat the political associations of a later 
day united them together in the bonds of a sincere and 
constant friendship. The many noble traits in the cha- 
racter of Andrew Jackson elicited the warmest admiration 
and respect of Colonel Benton, while the former was proud 
to manifest his attachment to one of the firmest and ablest 
supporters of his administration. 

The repose of Jackson, and the pleasures he had en- 
joyed in his quiet home, were now destined to be termi- 
nated by the public exigencies, which compelled him to 
abandon the peaceful pursuits of agriculture for the ha- 
rassing cares and anxieties of a military career. The 
difficulties between the United States and Great Britain, 
which had originated with the adoption of the Orders in 
Council, and the passage of the Embargo Act, in 1807, had 
long threatened to disturb the peace of the two countries. 
In the spring of 1811, affairs began to assume a most 



AQ LIFE OF JACKSON. 

threatening aspect. On the first of March tYW;;«^° 
minister, Mr. Pinckney, took a formal leave ot the frince 
Rrffenfn obedience to the instructions of h,s gorernment. 
Acdve preparations were at once made for the commence- 
^ ro?£ilities. Privateers were f^;;;^ ?";,>"^-5^ 
harbor and throughout the whole extent of the Union, 
There prevailed a strong feeling of indignation at the re- 
peated wrongs and mruries which our countrymen hd 
endured from the English government. J^e war spi. t 
WIS aroused, and, from the Atlantic to the M ssissippi, 
here glowed a string and manly enthusiasn. which bounded 
defind the honor of t^e nation and i— in, at any 
^nrrifice the " searchless shelter" of their flag. In accoril 
ance w th the decided expressions of public sentunent the 
American Contrress passed an act, m the month ot teb- 
X 1S12, -thoriring the P-'dent to accept the ser- 
vices of a large volunteer force. On the 20th day o June 
w^fwas declared against Great B^ain, and in uly ol 
lowing, a second act was passed, making further piovisions 
for call'ino- out fifty thousand volunteers. 
'° At tt°ti°ne. General Jackson was living happi y on h. 
farm, and, though only forty-five years of age, he had re^ 
tired as he thought, for ever, from all participation in 
public aff-airs. But the fire of that true and devoted pa- 
Ssm which never ceased to glow in h.s bosom need d 
hut the quickening spark, to cause it to revive with a 1 the 
fervor orvouth. He was roused by the insults that had 
been so repeatedly off-ered to his country, by the wrongs 
inflicted upon her citizens, and by the bitter reco lections 
connectd with the death of his -other and his two bro- 
thers. He could recall the many horrid tales, to wh cli 
he had listened, of English cruelty and oppr-sion n the 
birth-place of his ancestors. There was also that scar on 
his hand inflicted by a British officer, who had aimed a 
blow afhi^ life because he had refused to clean the dir 
from his boots ; that scar remained to keep his virtuous 
resentment alive, even if he could otherwise have for- 
got"n"he injurie's of his native land, the wrongs of Ire- 
land, and the extermination of every relative m the 



^orid. 



i 



RAISE? A VOLUNTEER FORCE. 49 

Jackson did not seek a command in the regular army, 
but immediately issued a spirited address to the citizens 
of his division, calh'ng upon them to unite witli him in 
protecting the rights and the honor of the repubhc. In a 
few days twenty-five hundred volunteers flocked to his 
standard, ready to follow wheresoever he might see fit to 
lead them. A tender of their services having been made 
to the general government, and the offer accepted, he re 
ceived orders in November, 1812, to place himself at their 
head and to descend the Mississippi, for the defence of the 
lower country, which was then supposed to be in danger. 
Accordingly, on the 10th of December, 1812, the men 
under his command rendezvoused at Nashville, prepared 
to advance to the place of their destination ; and although 
the weather was then excessively severe, and the ground 
covered with snow, no troops could have displayed greater 
firmness. The general was everywhere with them, in- 
spiring them with the ardor that animated his own bosom. 
The cheerful spirit with which they submitted to hard- 
ships and bore privations, at the very outset of their mili- 
tary life, as well as the order and subordination they 
so readily observed, were happy presages of what was 
to be expected when they should be directed to face an 
enemy. 

Having procured supplies, and made the necessary 
arrangements for an active campaign, the volunteers com- 
menced their journey on the 7th of January, 1813, and 
descending the Ohio and Mississippi through cold and 
ice, arrived and halted at Natchez. Here Jackson had 
been instructed to remain until he should receive further 
orders. Having chosen a healthy site for the encamp- 
ment of his troops, he devoted his time with the utmost 
industry, to training and preparing them for active service. 
The clouds of war in that quarter having temporarily 
blown over, an order was received, soon after his arrival, 
from the Secretary of War, dated the 5th of January, 1813, 
directing him, on the receipt thereof, to dismiss the men 
under his command from service, and to take measures 
for delivering over every article of public property in his 
possession to Brigadier-General Wilkinson. 

3 



50 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

When this order reached the camp of General Jackson, 
there were one hundred and fifty men on the sick report, 
fifty-six of whom were unable to rise from their beds, and 
almost the whole number were without the means of de- 
fraying the expenses of their return. The consequence 
of a strict compliance with the Secretary's order, would 
inevitably have been, that many of the sick must have 
perished, while most of the others, from their destitute 
condition, would, of necessity, have been compelled to 
enlist in the regular army, under General Wilkinson. 
Such alternatives were neither congenial with their ge- 
neral's wishes, nor such as they had expected, on ad- 
venturing with him in the service of their country. He 
had taken them from home, and he regarded it as a solemn 
duty to bring them back. Whether an expectation that, 
by this plan, many of them would be forced into the 
regular ranks, had formed any part of the motive that 
occasioned the order for their discharge, at so great a dis- 
tance from home, cannot be known ; and it would be un- 
charitable to insinuate aorainst the government so serious 
an accusation, without the strongest evidence to support 
it. Be this as it may, General Jackson could not think 
of sacrificing, or injuring, an army that had shown such 
devotedness to their country ; and he determined to dis- 
regard the order, and march them again to their homes, 
where they had been embodied, rather than to discharge 
them where they would be exposed to the greatest hard- 
ships and dangers. To this measure he was prompted, 
not only by the reasons already mentioned, but by the 
consideration that many of them were young men, the 
children of his neighbors and acquaintances, who had de- 
livered them into his hands, as to a guardian, with the ex- 
pectation that he would watch over and protect them. 
To have abandoned them, therefore, at such a time, and 
under such circumstances, would have drawn on him the 
merited censure of the most deserving part of his fellow- 
citizens, and deeply wounded his own generous feehngs. 
In addition to this, the young men who were confined by 
sickness, learning the nature of the order he had received, 
implored him, with tears in their eyes, not to abandon 



DISOBEDIENCE OF ORDERS. 51 

them in so great an extremity, and reminded him, at the 
same time, of his assurance that he would be to them as a 
father, and of the impHcit confidence they had placed in 
his word. This was an appeal which it would have been 
difficult for Jackson to have resisted, had he been inclined 
to disregard other considerations ; but influenced by them 
all, he had no hesitation in coming to a determination. 

Having made known his resolution to the field-officers 
f his division, it apparently met their approbation ; but 
after retiring from his presence, they assembled late at 
night, in secret caucus, and proceeded to recommend to 
him an abandonment of his purpose, and an immediate 
discharge of the troops. Great as was the astonishment 
which this movement excited in the general, it produced 
a still stronger feeling of indignation. In reply, he 
urged the duplicity of their conduct, and reminded them 
that although to those who possessed money and health, 
such a course could produce no inconvenience, yet to the 
unfortunate soldier, who was aHke destitute of both, no 
measure could be more calamitous. He concluded, by 
telling them, that his resolution, not having been hastily 
concluded on, nor founded on light considerations, was 
unalterably fixed ; and that immediate preparations must 
be made for carrying into execution the determination he 
had formed. 

He lost no time in making known to the Secretary of 
War the resolution he had adopted, to disregard the order 
he had received, and to return his army to the place where 
he had received it. He painted, in strong terms, the evils 
which the course pursued by the government was calcu- 
lated to produce, and expressed the astonishment he felt, 
that it should ever have been seriously determined on. 

General Wilkinson, to whom the public stores were 
directed to be delivered, learning the determination which 
had been taken by Jackson to march his troops back, and 
to take with them such articles as might be necessary for 
their return, in a letter of solemn and mysterious import 
admonished him of the consequences which were before 
him, and of the awful and dangerous responsibility he was 
taking on himself by so bold a measure. General Jack- 



52 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

son replied, that his conduct, and the consequences to 
which it might lead, had been deliberately weighed, and 
well considered, and that he was prepared to abide the 
result, whatever it might be. Wilkinson had previously- 
given orders to his officers, to recruit from Jackson's army ; 
but they were advised, on their first appearance, that those 
troops were already in the service of the United States, 
and that, thus situated, they should not be enlisted ; and 
that General Jackson would arrest, and confine, the first 
officer who dared to enter his encampment with any such 
object in view. 

The quarter-master, having been ordered to furnish the 
necessary transportation for the conveyance of the sick 
and the baggage to Tennessee, immediately set about the 
performance of the task ; but, as the event proved, without 
any intention to execute it. Still he continued to keep 
up the semblance of exertion ; and, on the very day before 
that which had been appointed for breaking up the en- 
campment and commencing the return march, eleven 
wagons arrived there by his order. But early the next 
morning, when every thing was about to be packed up, he 
entered the encampment, and discharged the whole. He 
was grossly mistaken, however, in the man he had to deal 
with, and had now played his tricks too far to be able to 
accompHsh the object, which, without doubt, he had been 
intrusted to efl^ect. Disregarding their dismissal, so evi- 
dently designed to prevent marching back his men, Ge- 
neral Jackson seized upon the wagons, yet within his 
lines, and compelled them to proceed in the transporta- 
tion of his sick. Among them was a young man, reported 
by the surgeon to be in a dying condition, whom it was 
useless to remove. " Not a man shall be left who has life 
in him," said the general. The young man was lifted 
into a wagon, in a state of torpor, and wholly insensible. 
The melancholy march commenced ; and the general, 
with parental solicitude, passed along the train, taking 
special care that the invalids, in position and appliances, 
should have every comfort of which their situation was 
susceptible. With peculiar anxiety, he watched the ap- 
parently dying youth, as he was jostled by the movemt^nts 



SUFFERINGS ON THE MARCH HOME. 53 

of the wagon. At length the young- man opened his eyes, 
and the next instant exclaimed, " Where am I ?" 

"On your way home, my good fellow," replied the 
general, in a cheering tone. The effect was electric ; he 
improved from that moment, and in a few weeks the 
general had the pleasure of restoring him, in good health, 
to his family and friends. It deserves to be mentioned, 
that the quarter-master, as soon as he received directions 
for furnishing transportation, had despatched an express 
to General Wilkinson ; and there can be httle question, 
that the course of duplicity he afterwards pursued, was a 
concerted plan between him and that general, to defeat the 
design of Jackson, compel him to abandon the determina- 
tion he had formed, and, in this way, draw to the re- 
gular army many of the soldiers, who Avould be driven 
to enlist. In this attempt they were fortunately disap- 
pointed. Adhering to his original purpose. General Jack- 
son successfully resisted every stratagem of Wilkinson, 
and marched the whole of his division to the section of 
country whence they had been drawn, and dismissed them 
from service, in the spring of 1813. 

In addition to the philanthropic act we have just de- 
tailed. General Jackson gave up his own horses to the 
sick, and, trudging along on foot, submitted to all the pri- 
vations that were endured by the soldiers. It was at a time 
of the year when the roads were extremely bad ; and the 
swamps along their route were deep and full; yet, under 
these circumstances, he gave his troops an example of 
patience and endurance of hardship that lulled to silence 
all complaints, and won for him additional respect and 
esteem. On arriving at Nashville, he communicated to 
the president of the United States the course he had pur- 
sued, and the reasons that had induced it. If it had be- 
come necessary, he had sufficient grounds on which he 
could have justified his conduct. Had he suffered Gene- 
ral Wilkinson to have accomplished what was clearly his 
mtention, although it was an event which might, at the 
moment, have benefited the service, by adding an in- 
creased strength to the army, yet the example would have 
been of so serious and exceptionable a character, that in- 



54 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

jury would have been the final and unavoidable result. 
Whether the intention of thus forcing- these men to enlist 
into the regular ranks, had its existence under the direc- 
tion of the government or not, such would have been the 
universal belief; and all would have felt a deep abhor- 
rence, at beholding the citizens of the country drawn off 
from their homes under pretence of danger ; while the 
concealed design was, to reduce them to such necessity, 
at a distance from their residence, as to compel them to an 
act which they would have avoided under different cir- 
cumstances. His conduct, exceptionable as it might at 
first appear, was, in the end, approved, and the expenses 
incurred were directed to be paid by the government. 
General Armstrong, the secretary of war, by whom the 
cruel and unfeehng order was issued, was soon after se- 
verely censured, and forced to resign his seat in the cabi- 
net, on account of his culpable neglect to provide suitable 
means of defence for the city of Washington. The re- 
putation of General Wilkinson, who had been appointed 
to supplant Jackson, was also tarnished, by his unfortunate 
operations in Canada, during the campaign of 1814. 



INDIAN HOSTILITIES. 65 



CHAPTER IV. 

1813. Depredations committed by the Creeks on the borders of Ten- 
nessee and Kentucky — Attack on Fort Mimms — Preparations for 
war — Jackson calls out the volunteers and miliiia — Address to the 
troops — Takes the field — Enforces strict military discipline — Rapid 
march to Huntsville — Delay in forwarding supplies — Thwarted in 
his movements by General Cocke — Jealousy of the latter — Scarci- 
ty of provi;^ions — Efforts of Jackson to procure supplies — Address 
to the soldiers on entering the enemy's country-^Arrival at the 
Ten Islands — Difficulty with the contractors — Destitute condition 
of the army — Battle of Tallushatchee— Humanity of Jackson — 
His adoption of an Indian boy. 1813. 

The repose of General Jackson and his volunteers was 
of short duration. They had scarcely reached their homes, 
when the Indian nations scattered over the territory com- 
posing the states of Alabama and. Mississippi, made in- 
cursions into Tennessee and Kentucky, and committed 
the most savage murders and cruelties. The frontier 
settlements were constantly harassed by their depreda- 
tions, and one atrocious act of barbarity followed so close- 
ly on another, that the inhabitants began to fear the worst 
from the revengeful spirit which Tecumseh, and his bro- 
ther, the prophet, who were secretly aided and encouraged 
by the English government, had aroused in the breasts of 
their followers. The Creek Indians, residing in the vici- 
nity of the Coosa and Tallapoosa rivers, were the most 
hostile and vindictive of all the tribes. Having collected 
a supply of ammunition, from the Spaniards at Pensacola, 
a party of their warriors, numbering about seven hundred 
men, commanded by Weatherfofd, a distinguished chief 
of the nation, made an attack on Fort Mimms, situated 
in the Tensaw settlement, in the territory of Mississippi. 
The fort was occupied by Major Beasley, with a force of 
one hundred and fifty men, and a large number of women 



56 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

and children who had sought sheher and protection. The 
assault was commenced on the 30th of August, 1813, and 
proved to be successful. A most dreadful slaughter took 
place. Mercy was shown to none ; neither age nor sex 
were respected ; and the same stroke of the tomahawk 
often cleft mother and child. But seventeen of the whole 
number of persons in the fort made their escape. 

As soon as the intelligence of this monstrous outrage 
reached Tennessee, the authorities of that state took im- 
mediate measures to chastise the perpetrators. All eyes 
were instinctively turned towards General Jackson, who, 
though suffering severely from a fractured arm, promptly 
responded to the orders of his government by calling out 
the militia and volunteers. In his proclamation, he made 
a special appeal to those who had accompanied him to 
Natchez, to join him on this occasion. He pointed out the 
imperious necessity that demanded their services, and 
urged them to be punctual. " Already," said he, "are 
large bodies of the hostile Creeks marching to your bor- 
ders, with their scalping-knives unsheathed, to butcher 
your women and children : time is not to be lost. W(} 
must hasten to the frontier, or we shall find it drenched in 
the blood of our citizens. The health of your general is 
restored — he will command in person." In the mean 
time, until these trooj^s could be collected and organized, 
Colonel Coffee, with the force then under his command, 
and such additional mounted riflemen as could be attached 
at a short notice, was directed to hasten forward to the 
neighborhood of Huntsville, and occupy some eligible 
position for the defence of the frontier. 

The 4th of October, which was the day appointed for 
the rendezvous, having arrived, and the general not being 
sufficiently recovered to attend in person, he forwarded by 
his aid-de-camp, Major Reid, an address, to be read to the 
troops, in which he pointed out the unprovoked injuries 
they were called upon to redress, in the following eloquent 
and stirring appeal : 

" We are about to furnish these savages a lesson of ad- 
monition ; we are about to teach them that our long for- 
bearance has not proceeded from an insensibility to wrongs, 



ADDRESS TO THE VOLUNTEERS. 67 

or an inability to redress them. They stand in need of such 
warning. In proportion as we have borne with their insults, 
and submitted to their outrages, they have multiplied in 
number,and increased in atrocity. But the measure of their 
oflences is at length filled. The blood of our women and 
children, recently spilt at Fort Mimms, calls for our ven- 
geance ; it must not call in vain. Our borders must no longer 
be disturbed by the war-whoop of these savages, and the 
cries of their suffering victims. The torch that has been 
lighted up must be made to blaze in the heart of their 
own country. It is time they should be made to feel the 
weight of a power, which, because it was merciful, they 
believed to be impotent. But how shall a war so long 
forborne, and so loudly called for by retributive justice, be 
waged? Shall we imitate the example of our enemies, in 
the disorder of their movements and the savageness of 
their dispositions ? Is it worthy the character of American 
soldiers, who take up arms to redress the wrongs of an 
injured country, to assume no better models than those fur- 
nished them by barbarians ? No, fellow-soldiers ; great 
as are the grievances that have called us from our homes, 
we must not permit disorderly passions to tarnish the re- 
putation we shall carry along with us. We must and will 
be victorious ; but we must conquer as men who owe no- 
thing to chance, and who, in the midst of victory, can still 
be mindful of what is due to humanity ! 

" We will commence the campaign by an inviolable 
attention to discipline and subordination. Without a strict 
observance of these, victory must ever be uncertain, and 
ought hardly to be exulted in, even when gained. To 
what but the entire disregard of order and subordination, 
are we to ascribe the disasters which have attended our 
arms in the north during the present war ? How glorious 
will it be to remove the blots which have tarnished the 
fair character bequeathed us by the fathers of our revolu- 
tion ! The bosom of your general is full of hope. He 
knows the ardor which animates you, and already exults 
in the triumj)h whiich your strict observance of disciphne 
and good order Avill render certain." 

Accompanying this address, was the following order for 
3* 



68 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

the establishment of the police of the camp, which str:k 
ingly illustrates his promptitude and decision as a mih- 
tary commander : 

" The chain of sentinels will he marked, and the sen- 
triej posted, precisely at ten o'clock to-day. 

"i.^0 sutler will be suffered to sell spirituous liquors to 
any soldier, without permission in writing, from a com- 
missioned officer, under the penalties prescribed by the 
rules and articles of war. 

" No citizen will be permitted to pass the chain of sen 
tineis after retreat-beat in the evening, until reveille in the 
morning. Drunkenness, the bane of all orderly encamp- 
ments, is positively forbidden, both in officers and privates : 
officers, under the penalty of immediate arrest ; and pri- 
vates, of being placed under guard, there to remain until 
Hberated by a court-martial. 

" At reveille-beat, all officers and soldiers are to appear 
on parade, with their arms and accoutrements in proper 
order. 

" On parade, silence, the duty of a soldier, is positively 
commanded. 

" No officer or soldier is to sleep out of camp, but by 
permission obtained." 

However harsh it may at first blush appear, to attempt 
the enforcement of such rules, in the very first stage of 
military discipline, yet the conduct of General Jackson 
was dictated by the most praiseworthy motives. The 
expedition on which he was about to march was certain 
to be both difficult and dangerous. He was aware that 
hardships must of necessity be endured, which would 
appal and dispirit his troops, if they were not early taught 
the lesson of strict compliance with the orders of their 
commander ; and he considered it much safer, therefore, 
to lay before them at once the rules of conduct to which 
they would be required to conform. 

Impatient to join his division, although his health was 
far from being restored, the general, in a few days after- 
wards, set out for the encampment, which he reached on 
the 7th of October. On the evening of the following day, 
a letter was received from Colonel Coffee, who had pro 



MARCH INTO THE CREEK COUNTRY. 59 

ceeded with his mounted volunteers to Huntsville, dated 
two days before, and informing the general that two friend- 
ly Indians had just arrived at the Tennessee river, from 
Chinnaby's fort, on the Coosa, from whom he learned that 
a party of eight hundred or a thousand Creeks had been 
despatched to attack the frontiers of Georgia, and that the 
remainder of their warriors were marching against Hunts- 
ville, or Fort Hampton. On the 9th instant, another ex- 
press arrived, confirming the former statement, and repre- 
senting the enemy, in great force, to be rapidly approach- 
ing the Tennessee. Orders were now given for preparing 
the line of march, and by nine o'clock on the 10th, the 
whole division was in motion. They had not proceeded 
many miles, when they were met with the intelligence 
that Colonel Gibson, who had been sent out by Coffee to 
reconnoitre the movements of the enemy, had been killed 
by their advance. A strong desire had been previously 
manifested to be led forward ; that desire was now strength- 
ened by the information just received ; and it was with 
difficulty that the troops could be restrained. They has- 
tened their march, and before eight o'clock at night arrived 
at Huntsville, a distance of thirty-two miles. Learning 
here that the information was erroneous which had occa- 
sioned so hasty a movement, the general encamped his 
troops ; having intended to reach the Tennessee river 
that night had it been confirmed. The next day the line 
of march was resumed. The influence of the late excite- 
ment was now visible in the lassitude which followed its 
removal. Proceeding slowly, the division crossed the 
Tennessee at Ditto's landing, and united in the evening 
with Colonel Coffee's regiment, which had previously oc- 
cupied a commanding bluff on the south bank of the river. 
From this place, a few days afterwards, Jackson detached 
Colonel Coffee, with seven hundred men, to scour the 
Black Warrior, a stream running from the northeast, and 
emptying into the Tombigbee ; on which were supposed 
to be situated sm^eral populous villages of the enemy. He 
himself remained at the encampment a week, busily oc- 
cupied in drilling his troops, and in endeavouring to pro- 
cure the necessary supphes for a campaign, which he 



60 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

had determined to carry into the heart of the enemy's 
country. 

At the same time that General Jackson took up his line 
of march for the Creek country, General Cocke had been 
ordered with an equal force from East Tennessee ; while 
another was despatched from Georgia, under Major Floyd, 
to enter the Indian territory on the east ; and a regiment 
of United States troops, with the Mississippi volunteers, 
under General Claiborne, were to attack the hostile tribes 
on the west. An arrangement had been made in the pre- 
ceding month, with General Cocke, to furnish large quan- 
tities of bread-stuff at Ditto's landing, for the troops under 
Jackson. The facihty of procuring it in that quarter, and 
the convenient transportation afforded by the river, left no 
doubt on the mind of the latter that the engagement would 
be punctually complied with. To provide, however, 
against the bare possibility of a failure, and to be guarded 
against all contingencies that might happen, he addressed 
letters to the governor of Georgia, Colonel Meigs, the 
Cherokee agent, and General White, who commanded the 
advance of the East Tennessee troops, urging- them to 
send forward supplies with all possible haste. General 
Cocke, who had been ordered to join him with the forces 
under his command, not only failed to come up in season, 
but neglected to furnish the provisions he had engaged to 
procure. The conduct of this officer was severely cen- 
sured at the time, and it is quite evident that most of his 
movements during the campaign were prompted by a de- 
sire to thwart the operations of Jackson. 

On his arrival at Ditto's landing. General Jackson found 
that the contractors were utterly unable to fulfil their en- 
gagements, and he was therefore compelled to wait patient- 
ly for the supplies which had so long been promised, and 
were hourly expected. While he was encamped there, 
a son of Chinnaby, one of the principal chiefs among the 
fnendly Creeks, a large body of whom had refused to unite 
With their countrymen in making war against the Ameri- 
cans, arrived at the landing, and requested a movement 
to be made for the relief of his father's fort, which was 
threatened by a considerable body of the war party. In- 



FAILURE OF THE SUPPLIES. 61 

fluenced by his representations, the general gave orders for 
resuming the march on the 19th of October, and notified 
the contractors of this arrangement, that they might be 
prepared to issue immediately such supplies as they had 
on hand ; but to his great astonishment, he was then, for 
the first time, apprised of their entire inability to supply 
him while on his march. Having drawn what they had 
it in their power to furnish, amounting to only a few days' 
rations, he immediately vacated their offices, and selected 
others on whose industry and fidehty he thought he could 
more safely rely. The scarcity of his provisions, how- 
ever, was not sufficient to waive the determination he had 
already made. The route to the fort lay for a consider- 
able distance up the river, and he hoped to meet with the 
boats expected from Hiwassee on the way. He accord- 
ingly determined to proceed, and having safely crossed a 
range of mountains, thought to be almost impassable on 
foot, with his army and baggage wagons, he arrived on. 
the 22d of October, at Thompson's creek, which empties 
into the Tennessee, twenty-four miles above Ditto's. At 
this place he proposed the establishment of a permanent 
depot, for the reception of supplies, to be sent either up or 
down the river. Disappointed in the hopes with which 
he had ventured on his march, he remained here several 
days anxiously looking for the arrival of provisions. Fear- 
ino- that this culpable neo-Ject mig-ht involve him in still 
further embarrassments, he informed Governor Blount, of 
Tennessee, of the condition of things, and made a press- 
ing application to General Flournoy, who commanded at 
Mobile, and Colonel McKee, the Choctaw agent, who was 
then on the Tombigbee, to procure bread-stuff" and forward 
it to him without delay. He also despatched expresses to 
General White, who had arrived at the Look-out moun- 
tain, in the Cherokee nation, urging him by all means to 
hasten on the supplies. 

While these measures were in progress, two runners, 
despatched from Turkeytown by Path-killer, a chief of 
the Cherokees, arrived at the camp. They brought infor- 
mation that the enemy, from nine of the hostile towns, 
were assembling in great force near the Ten Islands ; and 



62 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

solicited that immediate assistance sliould be afforded the 
friendly Creeks and Cherokees in their neighborhood, who 
were exposed to imminent danger. His want of provi- 
sions was not yet remedied ; but distributing the partial 
supply that was on hand, he resolved to proceed, in ex- 
pectation that the relief he had so earnestly looked for, 
would in a little while arrive, and be forwarded. In order 
to prepare his troops for the engagement he anticipated, 
he addressed them as follows, in his usual nervous and 
spirited style : 

" You have, fellow-soldiers, at length penetrated the 
country of your enemies. It is not to be beheved that 
they will abandon the soil that imbosoms the bones of their 
forefathers, without furnishing you an opportunity of sig- 
nalizing your valor. Wise men do not expect ; brave men 
will not desire it. It was not to travel unmolested through 
a barren wilderness, that you quitted your famihes and 
homes, and submitted to so many privations ; it was to 
avenge the cruelties committed upon our defenceless 
frontiers by the inhuman Creeks, instigated by their m> 
less inhuman aUies. You shall not be disappointed. I 
the enemy flee before us, we will overtake and chastis 
him : we will teach him how dreadful, when once arouse( 
is the resentment of freemen. But it is not by boasting 
that punishment is to be inflicted, or victory obtained. 
The same resolution that prompted us to take up arms, 
must inspire us in battle. Men thus animated, and thus 
resolved, barbarians can never conquer ; and it is an 
enemy barbarous in the extreme that we have now to face. 
Their rehance will be on the damage they can do you 
while you are asleep, and unprepared for action : their 
hopes shall fail them in the hour of experiment. Soldiers 
who know their duty, and are ambitious to perform it, are 
not to be taken by surprise. Our sentinels will never 
sleep, nor our soldiers be unprepared for action ; yet, 
while it is enjoined upon the sentinels vigilantly to watch 
the approach of the foe, they are at the same time com- 
manded not to fire at shadows. Imaginary dangers must 
not deprive them of entire self-possession. Our soldiers 
will lie with their arms in their hands ; and the moment 



ADDRESS TO HIS TROOPS. 63 

an alarm is given, they wiJl move to their respective posi- 
tions, without noise and witlioui confusion. They will be 
thus enabled to hear the orders of their officers, and to 
obey them with promptitude. 

" Great reliance will be placed, by the enemy, on the 
consternation they may be able to spread through our 
ranks, by the hideous yells with which they commence 
their battles ; but brave men will laugh at such efforts to 
alarm them. It is not by bello wings and screams, that 
the wounds of death are inflicted. You will teach these 
noisy assailants how weak are their weapons of warfare, 
by opposing them with the bayonet. What Indian ever 
withstood its charge ? what army, of any nation, ever 
withstood it long- ? 

" Yes, soldiers, the order for a charge will be the signal 
for victory. In that moment, your enemy will be seen 
fleeing in every direction before you. But in the moment 
of action, coolness and deliberation must be regarded ; 
your fires made with precision and aim; and when ordered 
to charge with the bayonet, you must proceed to the as- 
sault, with a quick and firm step, without trepidation or 
alarm. Then shall you behold the completion of your 
hopes, in the discomfiture of your enemy. Your general, 
whose duty, as well as inclination, is to watch over your 
safety, will not, to gratify any wishes of his own, urge you 
unnecessarily into danger. He knows, however, that it 
is not in assailing an enemy that men are destroyed ; it is 
when retreating, and in confusion. Aware of this, he will 
be prompted as much by a regard for your hves as your 
honor. He laments that he has been compelled, even 
incidentally, to hint at a retreat, when speaking to free- 
men and to soldiers. Never, until you forget all that is 
due to yourselves and your country, will you have any 
radical understanding of that word. Shall an enemy 
wholly unacquainted with military evolutions, and who 
rely more for victory on their grim visages and hideous 
yells, than upon their bravery or their weapons; shall 
such an enemy ever drive before them the well-trained 
youths of our country, whose bosoms pant for glory, and a 
desire to avenge the wrongs they have received ? Your 



84 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

general will not live to behold such a spectacle ; rather 
would he rush into the thickest of the enemy, and submit 
himself to their scalping-knives : but he has no fears of 
such a result. He knows the valor of the men he com- 
mands ; and how certainly that valor, regulated as it will 
be, will lead to victory. With his soldiers, he will face 
all dangers, and with them participate in the glory of 
conquest." 

Having issued this address, and again instructed Ge- 
neral White to form a junction with him, and send on all 
the supplies he could command, General Jackson resumed 
his march, with about six days' rations of meat, and less 
than two of meal. The army had advanced but a short 
distance, when unexpected embarrassments were again 
presented. Information was received, by which it was 
clearly ascertained that the present contractors, who had 
been so much and so certainly relied on, could not, with 
all their exertions, procure the necessary supplies. Major 
Rose, of the quarter-master's department, who had been 
sent into Madison county to aid them in their endeavors, 
having satisfied himself, as well from their own admis- 
sions as from evidence derived from other sources, that their 
want of funds, and consequent want of credit, rendered 
them a very unsafe dependence, returned, and disclosed 
the facts to the general. He stated that there were per- 
sons of fortune and industry in that county, who might be 
confided in, and who would be willing to contract for the 
army if it were necessary. Jackson lost no time in em- 
bracing this plan, and gave the contract to Mr. Pope, in 
whose means and exertions he believed every reliance 
might be reposed. At the same time, he wrote to the 
other contractors, staling, that although he might manage 
with generosity or indulgence, whatever concerned him- 
self as a private citizen, in his public capacity he had no 
such discretion ; and that he therefore felt compelled to 
.crive the contract to one who was able to execute it, on 
condition that they were indemnified for their trouble. 

This arrangement being made, the army continued its 
march, and having arrived within a few miles of the Ten 
Islands, was met by the Indian chief, Chinnaby. He 



SCARCITY OF PROVISIONS. 65 

brought with him, and surrendered up, two of the hostile 
Creeks, who had lately been nnade prisoners by his party. 
At this place it was represented that they were within 
sixteen miles of the enemy, who were collected, to the 
number of a thousand, to oppose their passage. This 
information was little relied on, and afterwards proved un- 
true. Jackson continued his route, and in a few days 
reached the islands of the Coosa, having been detained a 
day, on the way, for the purpose of obtaining small sup- 
plies of corn from the neighboring Indians. This acqui- 
sition to the scanty stock on hand, while it afforded subsist- 
ence for the present, encouraged his hopes for the future, 
as a means of temporary resort, should his other resources 
fail. 

In a letter to Governor Blount from this place, speaking 
of the difficulties with which he had to contend, he ob- 
served : " Indeed, sir, we have been very wretchedly 
supplied — scarcely two rations in succession have been 
regularly drawn ; yet we are not despondent. While we 
can procure an ear of corn apiece, or any thing that will 
answer as a substitute for it, we shall continue our exer- 
tions to accomplish the object for which we were sent. 
The cheerfulness with which my men submit to privations, 
and are ready to encounter danger, does honor to them, 
and to the government whose rights they are defending." 

On the 28th of October, Colonel Dyer, who had been 
detached from the main body, on the march to the Ten 
Islands, with a body of two hundred cavalry, returned to 
camp. He had destroyed the Indian village of Littafut- 
chee-town, at the head of Canoe creek, and brought with 
him twenty-nine prisoners. On the 31st, Jackson de- 
spatched another express to General White, repeating his 
former orders. Soon after, he received information that a 
considerable body of the enemy had posted themselves at 
Tallushatchee, on the south side of the Coosa, about thir- 
teen miles distant ; whereupon, he ordered General Coffee, 
with nine hundred men, to attack and disperse them. 
With this force that officer was enabled, under the direc- 
tion of an Indian pilot, to ford the Coosa at the Fish-dams, 
about four miles above the Islands ; and, having encamped 



66 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

beyond it, he proceeded, early on the morning of the 3d 
of November, to execute the order. Having- arrived with- 
in a mile and a half, he formed his detachment into two 
divisions, and directed them to march so as to encircle the 
town, by uniting their fronts beyond it. The enemy, hear- 
ing of his approach, began to prepare for action, which 
was announced by the beating of drums, mingled with 
savage yells and war-whoops. An hour after sunrise, the 
battle was commenced by Captain Hammond's and Lieu 
tenant Patterson's companies of spies, who had gone with- 
in the circle of alignment, for the purpose of drawing the 
Indians from their buildings. No sooner had these com- 
panies exhibited their front in view of the town, and given 
a few scattering shots, than the enemy formed, and made 
a violent charge. Being compelled to give way, the ad- 
vance-guard were pursued until they reached the main 
body of the army, which immediately opened a general 
fire, and charged in their turn. The Indians retreated, 
but continued firing, until they reached their buildings, 
where an obstinate conflict ensued. Those who main- 
tained their ground, persisted in fighting as long as they 
could stand or sit, without manifesting fear or soh citing 
quarter. Their loss was a hundred and eighty-six killed; 
among whom, unfortunately, and through accident, were 
a few women and children. Eighty-four women and 
children were taken prisoners, towards whom the utmost 
humanity was shown. Of the Americans, five were 
killed and forty-one wounded. Two were killed with 
arrows, which on this occasion formed a principal part of 
the arms of the Indians ; each one having a bow and 
quiver, which he used after the first fire of his gun, until 
an opportunity occurred for reloading. 

Having buried his dead and provided for his wounded 
General Coffee united with the main army, late in th 
evening of the same day, bringing with him about torty 
prisoners. Of the residue, a part were too badly wounded 
to be removed, and were therefore left, with a sufficient 
number to take care of them. Those whom he brought 
in, received every comfort their situation demanded, and 
were immediately sent into the settlements for security. 



THE INDIAN ORPHAN. 07 

Among the slain -at the battle of Tallushatchee, there 
was found an Indian woman, with an infant boy, unhurt, 
sucking her lifeless breast. The little orphan was carried 
to camp with the other prisoners, and General Jackson at- 
tempted to hire some of the captive women to take care 
of him. They refused, saying, " All his relations are 
dead ; kill him too." The general had a Httle brown sugar 
left, and he directed his attendants to feed the child with 
it until he reached Huntsville, where he sent him to be 
nursed at his expense. Upon his return from the cam- 
paign, he took the child home, named him Lincoyer, and 
with the cordial aid of Mrs. Jackson, raised him as ten- 
derly as if he had been his own son. He grew to be a 
beautiful and robust young man, as well educated as the 
white boys of the most respectable families. Yet his 
tastes were unchanged. He delighted in rambling over 
the fields and through the woods, and sticking into his 
hair and clothes every gay feather he could find. He was 
alwa^^s anxious to return to the Creek nation with the 
chiefs, who, for many years after the war, continued to 
visit General Jackson at the Hermitage, as his residence 
was called. Desiring that he should follow some mecha- 
nical employment, his benefactor took him into the va- 
rious shops in Nashville, that he might make his selec- 
tion. He was best pleased with the saddler's business, 
and was accordingly bound out as an apprentice to that 
trade. Regularly every other Saturday he visited the 
Hermitage, and was generally sent to Nashville on horse- 
back the next Monday morning. His health beginning 
to decline, the general took him home to the Hermitage, 
where he was nursed with a father's and mother's tender- 
ness ; but in vain. He sunk rapidly into a consumption, 
and died ere he had arrived at the age of manhood. He 
was mourned as a favorite son by the general and Mrs. 
Jackson, and they always spoke of him with parental 
affection. 



68 LIFE OF JACKSON. 



CHAPTER V. 

1813. Erection of Fort Strother, and establishment of a depot on the 
Coosa — Continued difficulties growing out of the movements of 
General Cocke — Battle of Talladega — Gallant conduct of Colonel 
Carroll and Lieurenant-Colonel Dyer — Destitution of the army — 
Generosity and benevolence of Jackson — His example in submit- 
ting to privations — Anecdote of the acorns — Discontent among the 
troops — Mutiny suppressed by his firmness and resolution — His 
appeal to the contractors to furnish supplies — Answer to the over- 
tures of peace made by the Hillabee tribes — Efforts to raise addi- 
tional troops — Letter to his friend in Tennessee — Demand of the 
volunteers to be discharged, on the ground that their term of ser- 
vice had expired — Reply of Jackson — His unflinching determina- 
tion — 'Suppression of the mutiny, and return of the volunteers. 1813. 

In consequence of his not receiving the necessary sup- 
pHes of provisions, without which it was utterly impossi- 
ble to proceed, General Jackson was detained for nearly a 
month, in the neighbourhood of the Tennessee river, 
without being able to penetrate the hostile territory, and 
strike a decisive blow. During this time, he erected 
a fort and depot, at the Ten Islands, which was called 
Fort Strother. It was his intention, after completing the 
w^orks, to proceed along the Coosa to its junction with the 
Tallapoosa, near which, it was expected, from informa- 
tion he had received, that the main force of the enemy 
was collected. In order to accomplish this in safety, he 
desired to unite as soon as possible with the troops from 
East Tennessee. The advance under General White had 
arrived at Turkey-town, twenty-five miles above, and on 
the 4th of November an express was despatched to him 
to hasten forward immediately. A similar message was 
sent on the 7th of the same month, but failed to produce 
any effect. General White chose rather to obey the or- 
ders of the immediate commander of his division, General 
Cocke, who persisted in his singular efforts to thwart the 



BATTLE OF TALLADEGA. 69 

movements of Jackson and the forces under his command. 
AJthough he endeavoured to shelter himself from the 
consequences of his unsoldierHke conduct, beneath the 
decision of a council of officers which he had formed, 
his jealousy of General Jackson was so apparent, that the 
public were not slow in forming a most unfavorable opi- 
nion of his character. 

As yet, no certain intelligence had been received, in 
regard to the position of the enemy. Late, however, on 
the evening of the 7th of November, a runner arrived from 
Talladega, a fort of the friendly Indians, distant about 
thirty miles below, with information that the enemy had 
that morning encamped before it in great numbers, and 
would certainly destroy it, unless immediate assistance 
could be afforded. Confiding in the statement, Jackson 
determined to lose no time in extending the relief which 
was solicited. Understanding that General White, agree- 
ably to his order, was on his way to join him, he des- 
patched a messenger to meet him, directing him to reach 
his encampment in the course of the ensuing night, and 
to protect it in his absence. He now gave orders for tak- 
ing up the line of march, with twelve hundred infantry, 
and eight hundred cavalry and mounted gun-men ; leav- 
ing behind the sick, the wounded, and all his baggage, 
with a force which was deemed sufficient for their protec- 
tion, until the reinforcement from Turkey-town should 
arrive. 

The friendly Indians who had taken refuge .in this 
besieged fort, had involved themselves in their present 
perilous situation from a disposition to preserve their 
amicable relations with the United States. To suffer them 
to fall a sacrifice from any tardiness of movement, would 
have been unpardonable ; and unless relief should be im- 
mediately extended, it might arrive too late. Acting under 
these impressions, the general concluded to move instantly 
forward to their assistance. At twelve o'clock at night, 
every thing was in readiness ; and in an hour afterwards 
the army commenced crossing the river, about a mile 
above the camp ; each of the mounted men carrying one 
of the infantry behind him. The 'river at this place was 



70 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

six hundred yards wide, and it being" necessary to send 
back the horses for the remainder of the infantry, several 
hours were consumed before a passage of all the troops 
could be effected. Nevertheless, though greatly fatigued 
and deprived of sleep, they continued the march with 
animation, and by evening had arrived within six miles 
of the enemy. In this march, Jackson used the utmost 
precaution to prevent surprise : marching his army, as 
was his constant custom, in three columns, so that, by a 
speedy niauv^uvre, they might be thrown into such a situ- 
ation as to be capable of resisting an attack from any 
quarter. Having judiciously encamped his men on an 
eligible piece of ground, he sent forward two of the 
friendly Indians and a white man, who had for many 
years been detained a captive in the nation, and was now 
acting as interpreter, to reconnoitre the position of the 
enemy. About eleven o'clock at night they returned, 
with information that the savages were posted within a 
quarter of a mile of the fort, and appeared to be in great 
force ; but that they had not been able to approach near 
enough to ascertain either their numbers or precise situa- 
tion. About an hour later, a runner arrived from Turkey- 
town, with a letter from General White, stating that aftei 
having taken up the line of march to unite at Fort Strother, 
he had received orders from General Cocke to change his 
course, and proceed to the mouth of Chatauga creek. In- 
telligence so disagreeable, and withal so unexpected, filled 
the mind of Jackson with apprehensions of a serious and 
alarming character ; and dreading lest the enemy, by tak- 
ing a different route, should attack his encampment in his 
absence, he determined to lose no time in bringing them to 
battle. Orders were accordingly given to the adjutant- 
general to prepare the line, and by four o'clock on th 
morning of the 9th, the army was again in motion. Th 
infantry proceeded in three columns; the cavalry in the 
same order, in the rear, with flankers on each wnng. The 
advance, consisting of a company of artillerists with mus- 
kets, two companies of riflemen, and one of spies, marched 
about four hundred yards in front, under the command of 
Colonel Carroll, inspector-general, with orders, after com- 



BATTLE OF TALLADEGA. 71 

mencing the action, to fall back on the centre, so as to 
draw the enemy after them. At seven o'clock, having 
arrived within a mile of the position they occupied, the 
columns were displayed in order of battle. Two hundred 
and fifty of the cavalry, under Lieut. Colonel Dyer, were 
placed in the rear of the centre, as a corps-de-reserve. The 
remainder of the mounted troops were directed to advance 
on the right and left, and after encircling the enemy, by 
uniting the fronts of their columns, and keeping their rear 
rested on the infantry, to face and press towards the centre, 
so as to leave them no possibility of escape. The remain- 
ing part of the army was ordered to move up by heads of 
companies ; General Hall's brigade occupying the right, 
and General Roberts' the left. 

About eight o'clock, the advance having arrived within 
eighty yards of the enemy, who were concealed in a thick 
shrubbery that covered the margin of a small rivulet, re- 
ceived a heavy fire, which they instantly returned with 
much spirit. Falling in with the enemy, agreeably to 
their instructions, they retired towards the centre, but not 
before they had dislodged them from their position. The 
Indians rushed forward, screaming and yelling hideously, 
in the direction of General Roberts' brigade, a few com- 
panies of which, alarmed by their numbers and yells, gave 
way at the first fire. To fill the chasm which was thus cre- 
ated, Jackson directed the regiment commanded by Colonel 
Bradley to be moved up, which, from some unaccountable 
cause, had failed to advance in a hne with the others, and 
now occupied a position in the rear of the centre. Bradley, 
however, to whom this order was given by one of the staff, 
omitted to execute it in time, alleging that he was de- 
termined to remain on the eminence which he then pos- 
sessed, until he should be approached and attacked by the 
enemy. Owing to this failure in the volunteer regiment, 
it became necessary to dismount the reserve, which, with 
great firmness, met the approach of the enemy, who were 
rapidly moving in this direction. The retreating militia, 
somewhat mortified at seeing their places so promptly 
supplied, rallied, and recovering their former position in 
the line, aided in checking the advance of the savages 



72 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

The action now became general, and in fifteen minutes 
the Indians were seen flying in every direction. On the 
left they were met and repulsed by the mounted riflemen ; 
but on the right, owing to the halt of Bradley's regiment, 
which was intended to occupy the extreme right, and to 
the circumstance that Colonel Alcorn, who commanded 
one of the wings of the cavalry, had taken too large a 
circuit, a considerable space was left between the infantry 
and the cavalry, through which numbers escaped. The 
fight was maintained with great spirit and effect on both 
sides, as well before as after the retreat commenced ; nor 
did the pursuit and slaughter terminate until the moun- 
tains were reached, at the distance of three miles. 

Jackson, in his report of this action, bestowed high 
commendation on the officers and soldiers. " Too much 
praise," he said, at the close, " cannot be bestowed on the 
advance led by Colonel Carroll, for the spirited manner in 
which they commenced and sustained the attack ; nor 
upon the reserve, commanded by Lieut. Colonel Dyer, for 
the gallantry with which they met and repulsed the enemy. 
In a word, officers of every grade, as well as privates, 
realized the high expectations I had formed of them, and 
merit the gratitude of their country." 

In this battle, the force of the enemy was one thousand 
and eighty, of whom two hundred and ninety-nine were 
left dead on the ground ; and it is believed that many 
were killed in the flight, who were not found when the 
estimate was made. Probably few escaped unhurt. Their 
loss on this occasion, as since stated by themselves, was 
not less than six hundred: that of the Americans was 
fifteen killed, and eighty wounded, several of whom after- 
wards died. Jackson, after collecting his dead and wounded, 
advanced his army beyond the fort, and encamped for the 
night. The Indians who had been for several days shut 
up by the besiegers, thus fortunately hberaled from the 
most dreadful apprehensions and severest privations, hav- 
ing for some days been entirely without water, received 
the army with all the demonstrations of gratitude that 
savages could give. Their manifestations of joy for their 
deliverance, presented an interesting and afteciing spec- 



DESTITUTION OF THE TROOPS. 73 

tacle. Their fears had been already greatly excited, for 
it was the very day when they were to have been as- 
sauhed, and when every soul within the fort must have 
perished. All the provisions they could spare from their 
scanty stock they sold to the general, who purchased them 
with his own money, and generously distributed them 
among his almost destitute soldiers. 

It was with great regret that Jackson now found he was 
without the means of avaihng himself fully of the ad- 
vantages of his victory ; but the condition of his posts in 
the rear, and the want of provisions, (having left his en- 
campment at Fort Strother with little more than one day's 
rations,) compelled him to return ; thus giving the enemy 
time to recover from the consternation of their first defeat, 
and to re-assemble their forces. On returning to Fort 
Strother, he found that through the wilful mismanagement 
of General Cocke, no supplies had reached that post, and 
the soldiers were beginning to exhibit symptoms of dis- 
content. Even his private stores, brought on at his own 
expense, and upon which he and his staff had hitherto 
wholly subsisted, had been in his absence distributed 
among the sick by the hospital surgeon, who had been 
previously instructed to do so if their wants should re- 
quire it. A few dozen biscuits, which remained on his 
return, were given to hungry applicants, without being 
tasted by himself or family, who were probably not less 
hungry than those who were thus relieved. A scanty 
supply of indifferent beef, taken from the enemy or pur- 
chased of the Cherokees, was the only support afforded. 
Left thus destitute, Jackson, with the utmost cheerfulness 
ot temper, repaired to the bullock pen, and of the offal 
there thrown away, provided for himself and staff what 
he was pleased to call, and seemed really to think, a very 
comfortable repast. Tripes, however, hastily provided in 
a camp, without bread or seasoning, can only be palatable 
to an appetite very highly whetted. Yet this constituted 
for several days the only diet at head quarters, during 
which time the general seemed entirely satisfied with 
his fare. Neither this, nor the liberal donations which 
he made to reUeve the suffering soldier, deserve to be 

4 



74 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

ascribed to ostentation or desio^n : tlie one flowed from be- 
nevolence, the other from necessity, and a desire to placi; 
before his men an example of patience and suffering-, 
which he felt might be necessary, and hoped might be 
serviceable. Charity in him was a warm and active pro- 
pensit}' of the heart, urging him, by an instantaneous im- 
pulse, to minister to the wants of the distressed, without 
regarding, or even thinking of the consequences. Many 
of those to whom aid vi^as extended, had no conception of 
the source that supplied them, and believed the comforts 
they received were, indeed, drawn from stores provided 
for the hospital department. 

On one occasion, during these difficulties, a soldier, 
with a wo-begone countenance, approached the general, 
stating that he was nearly starved, that he had nothing to 
eat, and that he did not know what he should do. He 
was the more encouraged to complain, from perceiving that 
the general, who had seated himself at the root of a tree, 
was busily engaged in eating something, and confidently 
expected to be relieved. Jackson replied to him, that it 
had always been a rule with him, never to turn away a 
hungry man when it was in his power to relieve him. 
"I will most cheerfully," said he, "divide with you what 
1 have ;" and putting his hand in his pocket, he drew 
forth a few acorns, from which he had been feasting, at 
the same time remarking, in addition, that this was the 
only fare he had. The soldier seemed much surprised, 
and forthwith circulated the intellioence amonsr his com- 
rades, that their general was feeding on acorns, and urged 
them not to complain. 

But while General Jackson remained wholly unmoved by 
his own privations, he was filled with sohcitude and concern 
for his army. His utmost exertions, unceasingly applied 
were insufficient to remove the sufferings to which he sav» 
they were exposed ; and although they were by no means 
so great as were represented, yet were they undoubtedly 
such as to be sensibly and severely felt. Discontents, and 
a desire to return home, arose, and presently spread through 
the camp ; and these were still further imbittered and 
augmented by the arts of a few designing officers, who, 



i 



DISCONTENT IN THE ARMY. 75 

believing that the campaign would break up, hoped to 
make themselves popular on their return, by encouraging 
and taking- part in the complaints of the soldiery. It is a 
singular lact, that those officers who pretended on this 
occasion to feel most sensibly for the wants of the army, 
and who contrived most effectually to instigate it to revolt, 
had never themselves been v/ithout provisions; and were, 

that very moment, enjoying in abundance what would 
ave relieved the distresses of many, had it been as gene- 
.ously and freely distributed as were their words of advice 
and condolence. 

During this period of scarcity and discontent, small 
quantities of supphes were occasionally forwarded by the 
contractors, but not a sufficiency for present want, and still 
less to remove the apprehensions that were entertained for 
the future. At length, revolt began to show itself openly. 
The officers and soldiers of the militia, collecting in their 
tents and talking over their grievances, determined to yield 
up their patriotism and to abandon the camp. Several of 
the officers of the old volunteer corps exerted themselves 
clandestinely, to produce disaffection. Looking upon them- 
selves somewhat in the light of veterans, from the disci- 
pline they had acquired in the expedition to Natchez, they 
were unwilling to be seen foremost in setting an example 
of mutiny, but wished to make the defeclion of others a 
pretext for their own. 

It was almost unreasonable to expect men to be patient, 
while starvation was staring them in the face. Overlook- 
ing the fact that their diirlculties were mainly occasioned 
by the malicious feelings of a single officer, they began to 
feel that they were neglected by their country, whose 
battles they had fought, and resentment and discontent 
took possession of their bosoms. Increasing from, day to 
day, and extending from individuals to companies, and 
from companies to regiments, they soon threatened an en- 
tire dissolution of the army. The volunteers, though 
deeply imbued with this feeling, were at first restrained 
from any public exhibition of it, by their soldierly pride; ; 
but the mililia regiments determined to leave the canip, 
and return to Tennessee. Apprised of their intention, 



76 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

General Jackson resolved to defeat it ; and as they drew 
out in the morning to commence their march, they found 
the volunteers drawn up across their path, with orders to 
require them, under penalty of instant mihtary execution, 
to return to their position. They at once obe3'ed, admir- 
ing the firmness which baffled their design. 

In this operation the volunteers had been unwilling in- 
struments in the hands of their general, and, chagrined at 
their own success, resolved themselves the next day to 
abandon the camp in a body. What was their surprise, 
on making a movement to accomplish that object, to find 
the very militia whose mutiny they had the day before 
repressed, drawn up in the same position to resist them ! 
So determined was their look, that the volunteers deemed 
it prudent to carry out the parallel, and returned quietly 
to their quarters. This process, by which nearly a whole 
army, anxious to desert, was kept in service by arra^-ing 
one species of force against another, though effectual for 
the moment, would not bear repetition, and the general 
was sensible how feeble was the thread by which he held 
them together. The cavalry, who not only shared in the 
general privation, but had no forage, petitioned for per- 
mission to retire to the vicinity of Huntsviile, pledging 
themselves to return when called on, after recruiting their 
horses and receiving their winter clothing. Their peti- 
tion was granted, and they immediately left the camp. 

Having received letters from Colonel Pope, assuring 
him that abundant supplies were on the way. General 
Jackson resolved to make an effort to produce good feeling 
throughout the army, in order that they might be able to 
act with promptitude when an opportunity offered for 
striking a decisive blow. He accordingly invited the field 
and platoon officers to his quarters, on the 14th of Novem- 
ber, and communicated to them the information he had 
received, and the wishes and expectations which he had 
based upon it. "To be sure," said he, "we do not live 
sumptuously ; but no one has died of hunger, or is likely 
to die ; and then how animating are our prospects ! Large 
supplies are at Deposit, and already are officers despatched 
to hasten them on. Wagons are on the way ; a large 



MUTINY OF HIS TROOPS. 77 

number of beeves are in the neighborhood ; and detach- 
ments are out to bring- them in. All these resources sure- 
ly cannot fail. I have no wish to starve you — none to 
deceive you. Stay contentedly; and if suppHes do not 
arrive within two days, we wiJl all march back together, 
and throw the blame of our failure where it should proper- 
ly lie : until then we certainly have the means of subsist- 
ing ; and if we are compelled to bear privations, let us 
remember that they are borne for our country, and are not 
greater than many — perhaps most armies have been com- 
pelled to endure. I have called you together to tell you 
my feelings and my wishes; this evening think on them 
seriously, and let me know yours in the morning." 

After addressing them in such kind and generous terms, 
notwithstanding many of them had secretly encouraged 
the disaffection, how great must have been his grief and 
mortification in the morning, when he received from the 
officers of the volunteer regiments the annunciation that, 
in their opinion, "Nothing short of marching the army 
immediately back to the settlements, could prevent those 
difficulties and that disgrace which must attend a forcible 
d'esertion of the camp by his soldiers." 

The officers of the militia, however, reported their will- 
ingness to wait a few days longer for a supply of pro- 
visions, and, if it should be received, to proceed with the 
campaign ; otherwise, they insisted on being marched 
back where supplies could be procured. To preserve the 
volunteers for farther service, if possible, the general de- 
termined to gratify their wishes, and ordered General Hall 
to lead them back to Fort Deposit, there to obtain relief 
for themselves, and then to return as an escort to the pro- 
visions. But the second regiment of volunteers w^ere 
ashamed to be found less loyal than the militia, and begged 
permission to remain with their general, and the first re- 
giment marched alone. It is impossible to describe the 
emotions of General Jackson, when he saw a regiment of 
brave men, whom he had refused to abandon at Natchez 
even ai the command of his government, for the preserva- 
tion of whose well-earned fame he would have hazarded 
his life, deserting him in the wilderness, reckless of honor, 



78 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

of patriotism, of gratitude, and humanity. He cou!a not 
avoid giving expression to his feelings in strong and de- 
cided terms. "I was prepared," he said, "to endure 
every evil but disgrace ; and this, as I can never submit 
to myself, I can give no encouragement to in others." 

On the KJih of November, General Jackson addressed 
a letter to Colonel Pope, the contractor, in which he said: 

"My men are all starving. More than half of ther 
left me yesterday for Fort Deposit, in consequence of th. 
scarcity, and the whole will do so in a few days if plenti 
ful supplies do not arrive. Again and again I must en- 
treat you to spare neither labor nor expense to furnish me, 
and furnish me without delay. We have already struck 
the blow which would, if followed up, put an end to Creek 
hostility. I cannot express the torture of my feelings 
when I reflect that a campaign so auspiciously begun, 
and which might be so soon and so gloriously terminated, 
is likely to be rendered abortive for the want of supplies. 
For God's sake, prevent so great an evil." 

In his address to the officers on the 14th, the general 
had told them that in case supplies did not reach them 
within two days, he would lead the army back where 
provisions could be had. Two days had elapsed after the 
departure of the volunteers, and no supplies had come. 
The declaration had been made in the confident expecta- 
tion that provisions, then known to be on the way, would 
reach them before the expiration of that period ; but the 
general felt bound to comply with his word. He imme- 
diately proceeded to make arrangements for the abandon- 
ment of Fort Strother ; but, contemplating the new cou- 
rage with which it would inspire the enemy, the calami- 
ties it was likely to bring on the frontiers, and the dis- 
grace upon his army, if not on himself, he exclaimed, "If 
only two men will remain with me, I will never abandoa 
this post." "You have one, general," promptly replied 
Captain Gordon, of the spies; "let us look if we cannot 
find another." The captain immediately beat up for vo- 
lunteers, and, with the aid of some of the general staff, 
soon raised one hundred and nine, who agreed to stand by 
their general to the last extremity. 



MUTINY OF HIS TROOPS. 79 

Confident that supplies v*vre at hand, the general 
marched with the mih'tia, announcing that they would be 
ordered back if provisions should bi> mot at no great dis- 
tance from the fort. Within ten or twelve miles they met 
a drove of a hundred and fifty beeves. They halted, 
butchered, and ate ; but the courage inspired by satiety 
was that of mutineers. Upon receiving an order to re- 
turn, with the exception of a small party to convey the 

ick and wounded, they resolved to disobey it. One com- 
pany resumed its march homeward, before General Jackson 
was apprised of their design. Informed of this move- 
ment, he hastened to a spot about a quarter of a mile ahead, 
where General Coffl^e, with a part of the stafT and a few 
soldiers, had halted, and ordered them instantly to form 
across the road, and fire on the mutineers if they should 
attempt to pass. Rather than encounter the bold faces 
before them, the mutinous company thought it expedient 
to return to the main body, and it was hoped that no far- 
ther opposition would be exhibited. 

Going alone for the purpose of mixing among his men, 
and appeasing them by argument and remonstrance, the 
general found a spirit of mutiny pervading the whole 
brigade. They had formed, and were on the point of 
moving ofT, knowing that no force was at hand powerful 
enough to resist them ; but they had to deal with a man 
who was a host in himself. He seized a musket, threw 
it across his horse's neck, placed himself in front of the 
brigade drawn up in column, and declared he would 
shoot the first man who took a step in advance. Struck 
with awe, the men gazed at him in sullen silence. In 
this position, General CofTee and some of the members of 
his staff rode up, and placed themselves at his side. The 
faithful officers and soldiers, amounting to about two com- 

)anies, formed in his rear, under orders to fire when he 
did. For some minutes not a word was uttered. A mur- 
mur then arose among the mutineers, and at length they 

signified their willingness to return. The matter was 

amicably arranged, and the troops marched back to Fort 

Strother, though not in the best spirits. 

This incident derives additional interest from the fact, 



80 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

that the general's left arm was not so far nealea as to 
enable him to aim a musket, and the weapon he had was 
too much out of order to be fired. 

Shortly after the battle of Talladega, the Hillabee tribes, 
who had been the principal sufferers on that occasion, ap- 
plied to General Jackson for peace ; declaring their will- 
ingness to receive it on such terms as he might be pleased 
to dictate. He promptly replied, that his government had 
taken up arms to bring to a proper sense of duty a people 
to whom she had ever shown the utmost kindness, but 
who, nevertheless, had committed against her citizens the 
most unprovoked depredations ; and that she would lay 
them down only when certain that this object was at- 
tained. " Upon those," continued he, " who are friendly, 
I neither wish nor intend to make war ; but they must 
afford evidences of the sincerity of their professions ; the 
prisoners and property they have taken from us and the 
friendly Creeks, must be restored ; the instigators of the 
war, and the murderers of our citizens, must be sur- 
rendered ; the latter must and will be made to feel the 
force of our resentment. Long shall they remember For^ 
Mimms, in bitterness and tears." 

Hav^ing communicated to General Cocke, whose divi- 
sion was acting in this section of the nation, the proposi- 
tions that had been made by the Hillabee tribes, with the 
answer returned, and urged him to detach to Fort Strother 
six hundred of his men to aid in the defence of that place 
during his absence, and in the operations he intended to 
resume on his return, Jackson proceeded to Deposit and 
Ditto's landing, where the most efTeclual means in his 
power were taken for obtaining regular supplies in future. 
The contractors were required to furnish immediately 
thirty days' rations at Fort Strother, forty at Talladega, 
and as many at the junction of the Coosa and Tallapoosa 
two hundred packhorses and forty wagons were also put 
in requisition to facilitate their transportation. Understand- 
ing now that the whole detachment from Tennessee had 
been received into the service of the United States, he 
persuaded himself that the difficulties previously en- 
countered would not again recur, and looked forward, 



EFFORTS TO RAISE ADDITIONAL TROOPS. 81 

with sanguine expectations, to the speedy accompHsh- 
ment of the objects of the expedition. But the satisfac- 
tion he felt, and the hopes he began to cherish, were of 
short continuance. 

The volunteers wHjo had formerly been enrolled in the 
expedition to Natchez, began to look anxiously for the 
10th of December, at which time they supposed their 
enlistments would expire. Anticipating difhcuUy from 
this cause. General Jackson was exceedingly anxious to 
fill up the deficiencies in his ranks. General Roberts was 
accordingly ordered to return and complete his brigade, 
and Colonel Carroll and Major Searcy were despatched 
to Tennessee, to raise volunteers for six months, or during 
the campaign. At the same time, the general wrote to 
several patriotic citizens of that state, urging them to con- 
tribute their aid and assistance. In one of his letters, he 
expressed himself in the following touching language, 
which shows how deeply his heart was enlisted in the 
enterprise he had undertaken to accomplish : 

" I left Tennessee with an army, brave, I believe, as 
any general ever commanded. I have seen them in bat- 
tle, and my opinion of their bravery is not changed. But 
their fortitude — on this too I relied — has been too severely 
tested. Perhaps I was wrong in believing that nothing 
but death could conquer the spirits of brave men. I am 
sure I was ; for my men I know are brave, yet privations 
have rendered them discontented — that is enough. The 
expedition must nevertheless be prosecuted to a success- 
ful termination. New volunteers must be raised to con- 
clude what has been so auspiciously begun by the old 
ones. Gladly would I save these men from themselves, 
and insure them a harvest which they have sown ; but 
if they will abandon it to others, it must be so. * * *■ 
* * * So far as my exertions can contribute, the pur- 
poses both of the savage and his instigator shall be de- 
feated ; and so far as yours can, I hope — I know they 
will be employed. I have said enough — I want men, and 
want them immediately." 

Anxious to prosecute the campaign as soon as possible, 
^hat by employing his troops actively he might dispel 

4* 



82 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

from their minds that discontent so frequently manifested, 
Jackson wrote to General Cocke, early in December, 
earnestly desiring him to hasten to the Ten Islands, 
with fiCteen hundred men. He assured him that the 
mounted men, who had returned to the settlements for 
subsistence, and to recruit their horses, would arrive by 
the 12th of the month. He wished to commence his 
operations directly, " knowing they w^ould be prepared 
for it, and well knowing they would require it. 1 am 
astonished," he continued, " to hear that your supplies 
continue deficient. In the name of God, what are the 
contractors doing, and about what are they engaged ? 
Every letter I receive from Governor Blount, assures me 
I am to receive plentiful supplies from them, and seems 
to take for granted, notwithstanding all I have said to the 
contrary, that they have been hitherto regularly furnished. 
Considering the generous loan the state has made for this 
purpose, and the facility of procuring bread-stuffs in East 
Tennessee, and the transporting them by water to Fort 
Deposit, it is to me wholly unaccountable that not a pound 
has ever arrived at that place. This evil must continue 
no longer — it must be remedied. I expect, therefore, and 
through j^oQ must require, that in twenty days they fur- 
nish at Deposit every necessary supply." 

While these preparations for the vigorous prosecution 
of hostilities were being made, the volunteers Avere con- 
gratulating themselves upon their anticipated discharge 
from the service. They had originally enlisted on the 
10th of December, 1812, to serve for twelve months. A 
portion of this lime, however, after their return from 
Natchez, they had not been actually engaged in service. 
This fact was entirely overlooked in their calculations, 
and they commenced pressing their officers en the subject 
of their discharge. 

General Jackson received a letter from the colonel who 
commanded the second regiment, dated the 4th of De- 
cember, 181:?, in which was attempted to be detailed their 
whole ground of complaint. He began by stating, that, 
painful as it was, he nevertheless felt himself bound to 
disclose an important and unpleasant truth : that, on the 



DIFFICULTY WITH THE VOLUNTEERS. 83 

10th. instant, the service would be deprived of the regi- 
ment he commanded. He seemed to deplore, with great 
sensibility, the scene that would be exhibited on that day, 
should opposition be made to their departure ; and still 
more sensibly, the consequences that would result from a 
disorderly abandonment of the camp. He stated that they 
had all considered themselves finally discharged, on the 
20th of April, 1818, and never knew to the contrary, until 
hey saw his order of the 24th of September, 1813, 
requiring them to rendezvous on the 4th of October. 
" Thus situated," proceeded the colonel, "there was con- 
siderable opposition to the order ; on which the officers 
generally, as I am advised, and I know myself in par- 
ticular, gave it as an unequivocal opinion, that their term 
of service would terminate on the ICth of Decem.ber, 1813. 
They therefore look to their general, who has their confi- 
dence, for an honorable discharge on that day ; and that, 
in ever}^ respect, he will see that justice be done them. 
They regret that their particular situations and circum- 
stances require them to leave their general, at a time when 
their services are important to the common cause. 

"It would be desirable," he continued, "that those 
men who have served with honor, should be honorably 
discharged, and that they should return to their families 
and friends without even the semblance of disgrace ; with 
their general they leave it to place them in that situation. 
They have received him as an affectionate father, while 
they have honored, revered, and obeyed him ; but having 
devoted a considerable portion of their time to the service 
of their country, by which their domestic concerns are 
greatly deranged, they wish to return, and attend to their 
own affairs." 

Although this communication announced the determi- 
nation of only a part of the volunteer brigade, the com- 
mander in chief had abundant evidence that the defect-ion 
was but too general. The difficulty which he had here- 
tofore been compelled to encounter, from the discontent 
of his troops, might well induce him to regret that a spirit 
of insubordination should again threaten to appear in his 
camp. That he might prevent it, if possible, he hastened 



84 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

to lay before them the error and impropriety of their views, 
and the consequences involved, should they persist in their 
purpose. 

To the foregoing letter he returned a reply which, for un- 
shrinking firmness of resolution, and patriotic devotion to 
the interests of his country, was never surpassed. He 
declared his determination to prevent their return, at the 
hazard of his life, and called upon God to witness, that the 
scenes of blood which might be exhibited on the 10th of 
December should not be laid to his charge. He reminded 
the volunteers that they had been enlisted for twelve 
months' actual service ; that but a portion of that time had 
expired ; and that at the time of their dismissal, after their 
return from Natchez, a certificate was given to each man, 
setting forth the number of months he had served, and 
they were expressly told that they were liable to be again 
called out to complete the full term. He also stated that 
he was ready and willing to discharge them, provided he 
received orders to that effect from the President of the 
United States, or the Governor of the State, but otherwise, 
they must remain with him. The letter concluded Avith 
the following remarkable words : " I cannot, must not be- 
lieve, that ' the volunteers of Tennessee,' a name ever 
dear to fame, will disgrace themselves, and a country 
which they have honored, by abandoning her standard, 
as mutineers and deserters ; but should I be disappointed, 
and compelled to resign this pleasing hope, one thing I 
will not resign— my duty. Mutiny and sedition, so long 
as 1 possess the power of quelling them, shall be put 
down ; and even when left destitute of this, I will still be 
found, in the last extremity, endeavoring to discharge the 
duty I owe my country and myself." 

To the platoon officers, who addressed him on the same 
subject, he replied with nearly the same spirited feeling; 
but discontent was too deeply fastened, and had been too 
artfully fomented, to be removed by any thing like argu- 
ment or entreaty. At length, on the evening of the 
9ih of December, 1813, General Hall hastened to the tent 
of Jackson, with information that his whole brigade was 
in a state of mutiny, and making preparations to move 



SUPPRESSION OF THE MUTINY. 85 

forcibly off. This was a measure which every considera- 
tion of policy, duly, and honor, required Jackson to op- 
pose ; and to this purpose he instantly applied all the 
means he possessed. He immediately issued the follow- 
ing general order: "The commanding general being in- 
formed that an actual mutiny exists in his camp, all officers 
and soldiers are commanded to put it down. The officers 
and soldiers of the first brigade will, without delay, parade 
on the west side of the fort, and await further orders." 
The artillery company, with two small field-pieces, being 
posted in the front and rear, and the militia, under the 
command of Colonel Wynne, on the eminences, in ad- 
vance, were ordered to prevent any forcible departure of 
the volunteers. 

The general rode along the line, which had been pre- 
viously formed agreeably to his ojders, and addressed them, 
by companies, in a strain of impassioned eloquence. He 
feelingly expatiated on their former good conduct, and the 
esteem and applause it had secured them ; and pointed to 
the disgrace which they must heap upon themselves, their 
families, and countr}'', by persisting, even if they could 
succeed, in their present mutiny. He told them, how- 
ever, that they should not succeed but by passing over 
his body ; that even in opposing their mutinous spirit, he 
should perish honorably — by perishing at his post, and in 
the discharge of his duty. "Reinforcements," he con- 
tinued, "are preparing to hasten to my assistance; it can- 
not be long before they will arrive. I am, too, in daily 
expectation of receiving information, whether you may be 
discharged or not — until then you must not, and shall not, 
retire. I have done with entreaty, — it has been used long 
enough. I will attempt it no more. You must now de- 
termine whether you will go, or peaceably remain ; if you 
still persist in your determination to move forcibly off, the 
point between us shall soon be decided." At first they 
hesitated ; he demanded an explicit and positive answer. 
They still hesitated, and he commanded the artillerist to 
prepare the match ; he himself remaining in front of the 
volunteers, and within the line of fire, which he intended 
soon to order. Alarmed at his apparent determination, 



86 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

and dreading- the consequences involved in such a con- 
test, " Let us return," was presently lisped along the line, 
and soon after determined upon. The officers came for- 
ward and pledged themselves for their men, who either 
nodded assent, or openly expressed a willingness to retire 
to their quarters, and remain without further tumult, until 
information was received, or the expected aid should 
arrive. Thus passed away a moment of the greatest 
peril, and pregnant with important consequences. 

Notwithstanding all General Jackson's firmness, the want 
of supplies and the actual necessities of his arm3^ at length 
compelled him reluctantl}'' to allow them to return home, 
while he himself remained, with about one hundred faith- 
ful soldiers, in the garrison at Fort Strother, thore to await 
the arrival of reinforcements. 



ARRIVAL OF RECRUITS. 87 



CHAPTER VI. 

814. Arrival of recruits — Battle of Emuckfaw — Return of the army 
— Ambuscade cf the enemy — Battle of Enotochopco — Bravery of 
General Carroll and Lieutenant Armstrong — Return to FortStrother 
—The army reinforced — Battle of Tohopeka — Kindness of Jackson 
to a prisoner — Preparations to attack Hoithlewalle — Address to the 
troops — I'he Indians abandon their towns at Jackson's approach — 
1'ermination of the campaign — Operations of the British at Pensa- 
cola — Conduct of the Spanish governor — Proclamation of Colonel 
NichoUs — Unsuccessful attack on Fort Bowyer — Jackson niaichea 
to Pensacola and demolishes it. 1814. 

The difficulties and embarrassments which had thus far 
in the campaign attended the operations of General Jack- 
son, might well have appalled a braver spirit ; but his was 
not a nature to sink beneath the frowns of adverse fortune. 
His intrepidity of spirit, and resoluteness of purpose, were 
never more signally manifested, than at the very moment 
when the return of the volunteers left him without the 
means to pursue the advantages he had already gained. 
He again urged the governor of Tennessee to expedite 
the enlistment of troops, and provide means for furnisliing 
supplies at such points as they might be needed. About 
the middle of January, 1814, eight hundred new recruits 
reached his camp at Fort Strother. Considering it utter- 
ly impracticable to penetrate the Creek country with so 
meagre a force, he determined to make a di\'ersion in fa- 
vor of Major Floyd, who, it was feared, might be closely 
pressed by the enemy, in consequence of his failure to co- 
operate with the troops from Tennessee. 

Having received authentic intelligence, that a large body 
of the "red-sticks," or hostile Indians, were collected on 
the Emuckfaw creek, in a bend of the Tallapoosa river, 
Jackson directed his march thither; and on the evening of 
the 21st of January, he encamped within a short distance 



88 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

of the enemy. A friendly Indian spy, who had recon- 
noitred the enemy's camp, brought in word that the In- 
dians were removing- their women and children — a sure 
indication that they meditated an attack. Before daylight, 
on the morning of the 22d, a brisk firing was heard upon 
the right, and in a few moments the action became gene- 
ral. The enemy were soon repulsed, with the loss of many 
of their best and bravest warriors ; but their undoubted 
strength, and the fact that they were constantly receiving 
reinforcements, determined the general to return to Fort 
Strolher. The object he had in view was fortunately ac- 
complished, as it was afterwards known that the battle of 
Emuckfaw was, in all probability, the means of saving 
Major Floyd's troops, who was hotly engaged with the 
enemy on the 27th, and would have been destroyed if their 
force had not been so seriously diminished. 

General Jackson buried the dead on the field of battle, 
and on the 23d of January commenced a retrograde march. 
During the night of the 23d there came on a violent 
storm, which was known to be always favorable to the 
Indian mode of fighting, and as his troops were not at- 
tacked on the night of the 22d, or while on their march 
the following day, he rightly conjectured that the enemy 
were lying in ambush for him at the ford of Enotochopco, 
about twelve miles from Emuckfaw. The stream, at this 
point, ran through a narrow defile ; the ford was deep ; 
and the banks were covered with underwood and reeds. 
The eaole eye of Jackson had discovered the natural ad- 
vantages of the place for an ambush, on his previous march 
to Emuckfaw, and he resolved to cross the stream at a 
ford six hundred yards lower down. In order to guard 
against an attack from the enemy, if they saw fit to follow 
him after discovering the change in his course, he formed 
his rear to receive them. This movement was wisely 
made. Part of the army had crossed the creek, and the 
artillery were on the point of entering it, when an alarm 
gun was heard in the rear, and the next instant the whoop- 
ing and yelling of the savages told plainly enough that 
they were coming on in fearful numbers. The militia, on 
the right and left, being struck with a sudden panic, in- 



BATTLE OF ENOTOCHOPCO. 89 

stantly retreated down the bank, Avith their colonels at their 
head, leaving the brave General Carroll, and about twenty- 
five men, to check the advance of the enemy. As Colo- 
nel Stump came plunging towards the creek where Ge- 
neral Jackson was superintending the crossing of the 
troops, the latter made an unsuccessful attempt to draw 
his sword and cut him down. He was afterwards tried 
by a court-marlial, on a charge of cowardice, and cashiered. 

In the mean time, Lieutenant Armstrong ordered his 
company of artillery to form on the hill, and with the as- 
sistance of one or two others, he drew up the cannon, a 
six-pounder, and pointed it towards the enemy. The 
ramrod and picker had been lost, but Jackson supplied 
the deficiency by using muskets and their ramrods to load 
the piece. It was fired twice, and did fearful execution. 
The Indians began to waver, and when the general had 
succeeded in rallying a number of the fugitives, and formed 
them for a charge, they fled with precipitation, throwing 
away their packs, and leaving twenty-six of their war- 
riors dead on the field. 

After this repulse, the army resumed their march, and 
reached Fort Strother in safety, on the 27th of January, 
where they were dismissed by their general, until he re- 
ceived further orders from government, which he desired 
to provide him with a competent force to enter the Creek 
country, and put a termination to the war. Through the 
patriotic exertions of Governor Blount, General Jackson 
was again at the head of a fine army, early in March, and 
ready to recommence the campaign. His force at this time 
consisted of four thousand Tennessee militia and volunteers, 
and a regiment of United States regulars. In the month 
of February, he had received information that the hostile 
Indians, about one thousand in number, Avere fortifying 
themselves in a bend of the Tallapoosa river, fifty miles 
from Eniuckfaw, where they had determined to make a 
last stand. The country between the Coosa and Tallapoo- 
sa rivers, known to the whites as the "Hickory Ground,'* 
had always been held sacred by the Indians, and they 
ivere taught, by their prophets, to believe that no white 
nan could ever enter this territory to conquer it. Gene- 



90 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

ral Jackson saw at once that the conquest of this tract of 
ground would compel them to sue for peace, and he de- 
termined on forcing them to a general engagement. He 
accordingly marched his army down the Coosa, and, hav- 
ing established a fort at the mouth of Cedar Creek, called 
Fort Williams, he crossed over to the Tallapoosa. He 
was three days in crossing the Hickory Ground, as the 
road had to be cut from one river to the other. On the 
morning of the 27lh of March, he arrived near Tohopeka 
with a force of over two thousand men. 

The bend of the river in which the enemy were fortified, 
as its name imports, resembles a horse-shoe in shape. 
Across the neck of land by which the peninsula was 
entered from the north, the Indians had thrown up a rude 
breastwork of logs, seven or eight feet high, but so con- 
structed that assailants would be exposed to a double and 
cross-fire. About a hundred acres lay within the bend, 
and at the bottom of it there was an Indian village, around 
which were a great number of canoes fastened to the bank 
of the river. After reconnoitering the position, General 
Jackson detached General Coffee to surround the bend 
opposite to where the canoes were secured, while he him- 
self advanced to assault the breastwork. As soon as Ge- 
neral CofTee had reported, by signals, the fulfilment of the 
order, the two pieces of artillery, a six and three pounder, 
began to play upon the breastwork. The firing had con- 
tinued for about two hours, when some of the friendly 
Cherokees who were with General Coffee, swam the river, 
and brought over the canoes. A number of Coffee's 
troops immediately crossed over, set fire to the village, 
and attacked the Indians in the rear. On discovering 
this movement. General Jackson ordered a push to be made 
at the breastwork, and carried it by storm. The battle 
now commenced in earnest, and a most blood}'' and despe- 
rate hand to hand conflict ensued, in which the Indians 
were finally overpowered, and compelled to give way. A 
number of them attempted to escape across the river, but 
were shot by the spies and mounted men under General 
Coffee. Some took refuge among the brush and fallen 
timber on the clif!s overhanging the river, from which 



KINDNESS TO AN INDIAN PRISONER. 91 

they fired upon the victors. Jackson was desirous to pre- 
vent the further loss of life, and sent an interpreter within 
call to offer them terms, but he was also fired upon and 
severely wounded. The cannon were then brought to 
bear on the place of their concealment, yet they still re- 
fused to surrender. After losing several men in an in- 
effectual charge, the general, as a last resort, commanded 
the brush and timber to be fired, and such of them as were 
driven from their hiding-places were shot as they ran. 
Night at length put an end to the battle, and a few of the 
miserable survivors escaped in the darkness. Five hun- 
dred and fifty-seven of their number were found dead on 
the field, and three hundred women and children were 
taken prisoners. The American loss was fifty-five Lilled 
and one hundred and forty-six wounded ; nearly one-third 
of which fell upon the friendly Greeks and Cheroke^; 
Among the Indians slain were three of their prophets, 
who had been the most active in exciting them to war. 
Up to the last moment, they maintained their influence 
over their deluded countrymen, and continued their wild 
and unseemly dances amid the thunder of battle. One 
of them was struck dead, with a grape shot, in the midst 
of his incantations. 

An incident occurred after the battle highl}'- character- 
istic of the American general. A young Indian was 
brought before him who had received a severe wound in 
the leg. A surgeon was sent for to dress it, and the 
savage quietly submitted to the operation ; but while it 
was going on, he looked inquiringly at the general, and 
said, "Cure 'im, kill 'im again ?" Jackson assured him, 
in a friendly manner, that he need not apprehend any 
further injury, and he soon recovered. The general was 
struck with his manly bearing, and having ascertained 
that all his relations had perished in the battle, he sent 
him to his own house in Tennessee. After the conclu- 
sion of the war, he bound him out to a trade in Nashville, 
where he married, and established himself in business. 

As his men had taken but seven days' rations with them 
when they left Fort Williams, Jackson was compelled to 
return to that post. Before doing so, he took the precau- 



92 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

tion to sink the dead bodies of his soldiers in the river, 
that they mi^ht be beyond the reach of the savages who 
had disinterred those buried at Emuckfaw and Enoto- 
chopco, for the purpose of obtaining their scalps. 

The original plan of the expedition against the Creek 
nation, formed by General Pinckney, the commander in 
chief, contemplated the junction of the different divisions 
sent from Georgia, Tennessee, and Mississippi, at the bend 
of the Coosa and Tallapoosa; but the failure to furnish 
provisions to the Tennessee troops, in the early part of the 
campaign, prevented the accomplishment of this design. 
General Jackson, however, after his return to Tohopeka, 
resolved upon the complete conquest of the Hickory 
Ground. He immediately made preparations to attack 
Hoithlewalle, an Indian town in this territory, where a 
large body of the enemy were said to be concentrated. 
On the 7th of April, just five days after his return from 
Tohopeka, he commenced his march. Each of his men 
carried eight days' provisions on his back. This supply 
was thought to be abundantly sufficient, as he expected 
soon to meet the eastern army under Colonel Milton, who 
had orders from General Pinckney to furnish him with 
supplies. Most of the friendly Indians were dismissed, 
on account of the difficulty in obtaining provisions. Before 
setting out, Jackson issued an animated address to his 
troops, in the following terms : 

" Soldiers, — You have entitled yourselves to the grati- 
tude of your country and your general. The expedition 
from which you have returned, has, by your good conduct, 
been rendered prosperous beyond any example in the 
history of our warfare ; it has redeemed the character of 
your state, and of that description of troops of which the 
greater part of you are. 

"• The fiends of the Tallapoosa will no longer murder 
our women and children, or disturb the quiet of our 
borders. Their midnight flambeaux will no more illu- 
mine their council-house, or shine upon the victims of 
their infernal orgies. In their places a new generation 
will arise, who will know their duty better. The weapons 
of warfare will be exchanged for the utensils of husbandry • 



TERMINATION OF THE CAMPAIGN. 93 

and the wilderness, which now withers in sterih'ty, and 
mourns the desolation which overspreads her, will blossom 
as the rose, and become the nursery of the arts. But, 
before this happy day can arrive, other chastisements re- 
main to be inflicted. It is indeed lamentable, that the 
path to peace should lead through blood, and over the 
bodies of the slain ; but it is a dispensation of Providence, 
and perhaps a wise one, to inflict partial evils that ulti- 
mate good may follow." 

It was Jackson's intention to reach Hoithlewalle on the 
llih of April; but the roads had been rendered almost 
impassable by the heavy rains, and he found himself un- 
able to do so. When within ten or twelve miles of the 
town, he ascertained that the inhabitants had deserted it. 
He then directed his march for Fooshatchie, three miles 
lower down the river, where he took several prisoners. 
The Indians generally, on his approach, fled across the Tal- 
lapoosa. He had anticipated this, and his orders to Colonel 
Milton, to co-operate with him from the east, were intend- 
ed to prevent the escape of the enemy in that direction. 
That officer, however, not only disregarded the orders he 
had received, but suffered the Indians to pass him un- 
molested, when he was preparing to cross the river and 
attack them. The rapid rising of the Tallapoosa, and the 
want of provisions, compelled Jackson temporarily to de- 
sist from the pursuit. Soon after, he made application to 
Colonel Milton, who was advancing to attack Hoithlewalle, 
which he had already destroyed, for provisions to supply 
his troops. The colonel replied that he did not feel him- 
self under obligation to furnish any to the Tennessee 
troops, but he would lend them some if it were absolutely 
necessary. Jackson instantly sent him a peremptory 
order, by Captain Gordon of the spies, requiring him to 
furnish the provisions which he had previously requested, 
and to form a junction with him the next day. On read- 
ing the order, Colonel Milton inquired of Captain Gordon, 
what sort of a man General Jackson was. " He is a man," 
•eplied the captain, " who intends when he gives an order 
fhat it shall be obeyed !" Colonel Milton then said he 
jvould furnish provisions, not because they were ordered, 



94 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

but because the men were suffering- for want of them ; 
nevertheless he afterwards obeyed the order in full, and 
joined the army under Jackson with his force. 

In order to intercept the Indians who had fled across 
the river, Jackson detached a body of mounted men to 
scour the left bank of the Tallapoosa, while he himself, 
M-ith the main army, prepared to march down the Coosa 
as far as their junction. Just as the army was about to 
commence its march, word Avas brought to the general 
that Colonel Milton's brigade could not move, as the 
wagon-horses had strayed away in the night and could 
not be found. Jackson sent back word that he had dis- 
covered an effectual remedy in such cases, which was to 
detail twenty men to each wagon. Milton took the hint, 
and having dismounted a kw of his dragoons, attached 
their horses to the wagons, and soon put his brigade in 
motion. 

The army did not encounter the least opposition on 
their march, and it was now evident that the battle of 
Tohopeka had ended the Creek war. No effort was made 
by the surviving warriors to rally, after that fatal day, and 
as General Jackson advanced, they either fled before him, 
or came in and offered submission. In a few months 
peace and quiet were restored ; whereupon the Tennes 
see soldiers returned home, and were honorably dis 
charged. 

Upon the resignation of General Harrison, in the spring 
of 1814, Jackson was appointed a major-general in the 
army of the United States. The protection of the coast 
near the mouths of the Mississippi was intrusted to him; 
and his first attention was turned to the encouragement 
and protection which the savages received, from the Spa- 
nish governor and Spanish authorities in the fortress of 
Pensacola, which is situated on the Gulf of Mexico, at about 
a hundred miles' distance from the main fastness of the 
Creek Indians. His opinion was, that the savages were 
constantly receiving assistance from the Spanish garrison, 
and from the British, through the means of the garrison ; 
and he was persuaded that the latter would finally attack 
New Orleans after having prepared themselves at Pensa- 



ATTACK ON PENSACOLA. 95 

cola. On his way to the south, he learned that about 
three hundred British troops had landed, and were fortify- 
ing themselves at no great distance from that post. In 
this state of things, he endeavored to prevail upon the 
Spanish governor to desist from all acts injurious to the 
United States. That officer at first prevaricated, but af- 
terward* boldly falsified the truth. The news had already 
been received, of the fall of Napoleon, and his banishment 
to Elba; and this event inspired new villany, and new 
courage, everywhere, inasmuch as it greatly increased 
the ability of Great Britain to prosecute her hostile opera- 
tions against the United States. The Spanish garrison at 
Pensacola was, in fact, a rendezvous for the British, and 
their Indian allies. Captain Gordon was sent by General 
Jackson, in the month of August, 1814, to reconnoitre the 
post, and, on his return, he reported that he had seen from 
fifty to two hundred officers and soldiers, a park of artille- 
ry, and about five hundred savages drilhng under British 
officers, and dressed in British uniform. These facts were 
duly communicated to the government, and an order was 
issued on the 18th of July, by General Armstrong, then 
secretary of war, authorizing General Jackson to attack 
Pensacola. By some strange and unaccountable delay, 
the letter containing this order did not reach him until the 
17th of January, 1815. 

General Jackson regarded the operations of the British 
at Pensacola, with considerable anxiety ; and on the ap- 
pearance of the following proclamation, addressed to the 
inhabitants of the southern and western states, and dated 
at Pensacola, the "head-quarters" of the officer whose name 
was attached, he decided to act on his own responsibility: 

"Natives of Louisiana ! on you the first call is made, 
to assist in liberating from a faithless, imbecile govern- 
ment, your paternal soil : Spaniards, Frenchmen, Italians, 
and British, whether settled, or residing for a time, in 
Louisiana, on you, also, I call to aid me in this just cause. 
The American usurpation in this country must be abolished, 
and the lawful owners of the soil put in possession. I am 
at the head of a large body of Indians, well armed, disci- 
plined, and commanded by British officers — a good train 



96 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

of artillery, with every requisite, seconded by the power- 
ful aid of a numerous British and Spanish squadron of 
ships and vessels of war. Be not alarmed, inhabitants of 
the country, at our approach; the same good faith and 
disinterestedness, which have dislinguished the conduct 
of Britons in Europe, accompany them here ; you will 
have no fear of litigious taxes imposed on you for the 
purpose of carrying on an unnatural and unjust war; 
your property, your laws, the peace and tranquillity of 
your country, will be guarantied to you by men who will 
suffer no infringement of theirs ; rest assured that these 
brave red men only burn with an ardent desire of satis- 
faction for the wrongs they have suffered from the Ame- 
ricans, and to join you in liberating these southern provinces 
from their 3^oke, and drive them into those limits formerly 
prescribed by my sovereign* The Indians have pledged 
themselves in the most solemn manner, not to injure, in 
the slightest degree, the persons or property of any but 
enemies. A flag over any door, whether Spanish, French, 
or British, will be a certain protection ; nor dare any In- 
dian put his foot on the threshold thereof, under penalty 
of death from his own countrymen ; not even an enemy 
will an Indian put to death, except resisting in arms ; and 
as for injuring helpless women and children, the red men, 
by their good conduct and treatment to them, will (if it be 
possible) make the Americans blus-h for their more inhu- 
man conduct, lately, on the Escambia, andnvithin a neu- 
tral territory. 

" Inhabitants of Kentucky, you have too long borne 
with grievous impositions — the whole brunt of the war 
has fallen on your brave sons : be imposed on no longer ; 
but either range yourselves under the standard of your 
forefathers, or observe a strict neulrahty. If 3'ou comply 
with either of these offers, whatever provisions you send 
down will be paid for in dollars, and the safety of the per- 
sons bringing them, as well as the free navigation of the 
Mississippi, guarantied to you. Men of Kentucky, let me 
call to your view, (and I trust to yo,ur abhorrence,) the 
conduct of those factions which hurried you into this civil, 
unjust, and unnatural war, at a time when Great Britain 



ATTACK ON PENSACOLA. 97 

was straining every nerve in defence of her own and the 
liberties of the world — when the bravest of her sons were 
fighting- and bleeding in so sacred a cause — when she was 
spending millions of her treasure in endeavoring to pull 
down one of the most formidable and dangerous tyrants 
that ever disgraced the form of man — when groaning Eu- 
rope was almost in her last gasp — when Britons alone 
showed an undaunted front — basely did those assassins 
endeavor to stab her from the rear ; she has turned on 
them, renovated from the bloody but successful struggle — 
Europe is happy and free, and she now hastens justly to 
avenge the unprovoked insult. Show them that you are 
not collectively unjust ; leave that contemptible few if 
shift for themselves ; let those slaves of the tyrant send au 
embassy to Elba, and implore his aid ; but let ever}'' ho 
nest, upright American, spurn them with united contempt. 
After the experience of twenty-one years, can you longer 
support those brawlers fo^- liberty who call it freedom when 
themselves are free ? Be no longer their dupes — accept 
of my offers — every thing I have promised in this paper 
I guaranty to you on the sacred honor of a British officer. 
"Given under my hand, at my head-quarters, Pensa- 
cola, this 29th day of August, 15^14. 

Edward Nicholls." 
The mere fact of allowing this document to go forth to 
the world, unaccompanied as it was by any disavowal on 
the part of the Spanish governor, constituted a sufficient 
justification for the subsequent conduct of General Jack- 
son. Troops had been drilled, savages supplied with 
weapons, and munitions of war prepared, under the im- 
mediate observation of the Spanish authorities ; and, as 
if to leave no room for doubt, their implied consent, at least, 
wa,s given to the waiver of their rights of neutrality, by 
suffering a British commander, unrebuked, to estabhsh his 
" head-quarters" in their midst. The attack on Pensaco- 
la, by General Jackson, was afterwards made the subject of 
an investigation in Congress, and has frequently been re- 
ferred to, in other quarters, in terms of censure. His con- 
duct was approved by his government, and the facts cer- 
tainly present a complete justification. 



98 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

While General Jackson was making preparation, for his 
contemplated attack on Pensacola, an assault was made by 
the British troops from that post, upon Fort Bowyer, which 
was situated on the Mobile river. On the 15th of Sep- 
tember, 1814, Colonel Nicholls attacked the fort by land, 
while several vessels, mounting altogether about ninety 
guns, approached by sea. The expedition ended in blow- 
ing up one of the English ships, greatly damaging another 
and sending off Colonel Nicholls with the loss of one of 
his ships, and, as it was said, one of his eyes. Major 
Lawrence commanded the American fort. His brave 
band consisted of only one hundred and thirty men ; 
while the force of the British was ninety guns by sea, 
and Nicholls assaulted the fort by land, with a twelve- 
pound howitzer, and several hundred marines, sailors, 
and savages. This affair was highly creditable to Major 
Lawrence and his men. The disparity of force was very 
great; and this disgraceful beating at the outset must 
have had a considerable efJect upon the enemy. Jackson 
was still more firmly resolved, after this attack, to break up 
the rendezvous at Pensacola; and on the (3th of November, 
1814, he marched against it, demolished all its defences 
and protections, drove out the British and the savages, 
and taught Nicholls and the Spanish governor, that there 
was still one country left which was not to be insulted 
with impunity by the satellites of despotism. 



MARCH TO NEW ORLEANS. <»9 



CHAPTER VII. 

1814. Jackson marches to New Orleans — Preparations to defend 
the city — Surrounded by traitors and spies — Situation of the coun- 
try — Strength of the British expedition — Firmness of Jackson 

The city placed under martial law — Vigorous measures rendered 
absolutely necessary — Landing of the British — Alarm in the city — 

Jackson determines to attack them — Disposition of his lorces 

Battle on the night of the twenty-third of December — Gallant con- 
duct of the American troops — Repulse of the British — The complete 
triumph of the Americans prevented by the darkness of the night 
— Adventure of Colonels Dyer and Gibson — The Americans fall 
back to a new position, and prepare to fortify it — Effect of the bat- 
tle. 1814. 

After administering- this severe, but deserved rebuke, 
to the Spanish governor, General Jackson immediately 
repaired, with a small portion of his army, to the city of 
New Orleans, at that time the most vulnerable point on 
the southern frontier. He arrived there on the 1st day 
of December, 15^14, and on the 4th it was rumored that a 
British fleet was approaching the coast. Two days after, 
the report was confirmed, and it was positively known 
that Admiral Cochrane and Sir George Cockburn, who 
had been compelled to retreat down the Chesapeake after 
the burning of Washington city, had sailed for the Gulf 
of Mexico with the forces under their command. Jackson 
did not lose a single moment, but at once applied himself 
vigorously to the work of preparation. Previous to his 
arrival, the inhabitants had become desponding and in- 
different. The influence of a master-mind soon aroused 
every thing into activity. Confidence was speedily re- 
stored. Resources that none had ever dreamed of sprang 
up at his bidding. His genius and perseverance soon 
found means for the crisis, desperate as it appeared, while 
his determined energy and resolute will, manifested on all 



100 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

occasions, in the midst of danger and alarm, excited the 
hopes of the timid, and infused new courage into the 
breasts of the wavering and faint-hearted. 

The city of New Orleans, at this time, contained a popu- 
lation of about 30,000 inhabitants, most of whom, as the 
territory of Louisiana had but recently been purchased, 
were of French and Spanish descent. As a very natural 
consequence, their attachment to their new government 
was any thing but ardent or sincere. Jackson had no 
only prejudices and jealousies to contend against, but 
treason lurked everywhere around him. Spies were con- 
stantly engaged in observing his motions, and the very 
men whose firesides he came to protect from outrage and 
molestation, corresponded with the enemy at Pensacola. 
In addition to these difficulties, the American general was 
seriously embarrassed from the want of arms, ammuni- 
tion, and troops. The Tennessee militia under General 
Carroll, and the mounted riflemen, commanded by Ge- 
neral Coffee, arrived soon after Jackson reached the city. 
In order to conceal his real weakness from the enemy, 
these troops were encamped a few miles out of town, and 
their number intentionally represented to be much larger 
than it really was. He did not wish his detachments to 
be counted ; and it was a part of his policy to exaggerate 
his force, to deceive the spies and impose upon the enemy. 
Besides this, the appearance and accoutrements of the 
western volunteers, though exactly suited to their mode 
of warfare, were not particularly calculated to inspire con- 
fidence or courage in those who would have been more 
highly gratified at beholding all "the pride, pomp, and 
circumstance of glorious war." In distributing his forces, 
Jackson took especial care to place them in such a man- 
ner, that they could be readily assembled in a single mas 
upon New Orleans. 

The city itself was the point really menaced. It is 
situated around a bend of the Mississippi river, on thw 
eastern bank. It is generally approached by vessels, from 
the river, although small craft, such as schooners and 
sloops, navigate lakes Pontchartrain and Borgne. A nar- 
row strip of land, varying from a few hundred yards to 



SITUATION OF THE CITY. 101 

two or three miles, borders the river, gradually tapering" 
off into a swamp, as it recedes, until it reaches the lakes. 
This strip of land is covered with plantations, and is pro- 
tected from the inundations of the river by an embankment 
of earth, called the " levee," which extends far above the 
city, on both sides of the river. 

The expedition fitted out by the British against New 
Orleans was truly a formidable one. The fleet under 
Admiral Cochrane numbered more than eighty sail, pre- 
vious to the arrival of the reinforcements. On board 
the transports were eleven thousand '' heroes of the Pe- 
ninsula," fresh from the blood-stained field of Vittoria,com- 
manded by four able and experienced generals ; two 
admirals, and twelve thousand seamen and marines, with 
fire-ships, rockets, ammunition, and artillery in abund- 
ance. This array of strength, which lost nothing of its 
terrors in the rumors circulated by the agents of the British 
government, was not by any means to be despised. Ge- 
neral Jackson foresaw the danger, and determined to avert 
it. He felt that it was one of those rare occasions which 
will sometimes occur, when it was absolutely necessary 
for the will of one man to guide and control every thing. 
The press itself had been, in part, suborned by the enemy, 
and the legislature was too much under British influence 
to listen to his wise suggestion in favor of the repeal of 
the Habeas Corpus Act. He accordingly resolved, with- 
out a moment's hesitation, to assume the power which 
cowardice dared not exercise. The city was placed under 
martial law, and in one instance, where a traitor whom he 
had imprisoned had been set at liberty by Judge Hall, he 
ordered the judge himself into confinement for interfering 
with his authority. The sequel conclusively showed that 
these vigorous measures were absolutely necessary for the 
safety and protection of the city, and a grateful country did 
not fail to appreciate the patriotic motives which prompted 
him in the exercise of this supreme power. 

The Enghsh armament, instead of coming up the river, 
entered the lakes which connect with the gulf, and on the 
28d of December commenced landing their forces on the 
narrow strip of land bordering the river. They reached 



102 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

this point by means of the Bayou Bienvenu and Villere's 
canal, through which they passed in their boats. They 
were at this time ignorant of the extent of the preparations 
made by Jackson to receive them, and instead of marching 
directly upon the city, which would have been the safest 
course, their commander encamped where he had landed, 
on the plantations of two or three French settlers. When 
%ckson received the intelhgence that the British had ef- 
ected a landing, he determined to attack them on the 
night of the 28d. Generals Coffee and Carroll were 
ordered to proceed immediately from their encampment, 
and join him with all haste. Although four miles above, 
they arrived in the city in less than two hours after the 
order had been issued. These forces, with the seventh 
and forty-fourth regiments, the Louisiana troops, and 
Colonel Hinds' dragoons, from Mississippi, constituted 
the strength of his army, which could be brought into 
action against the enemy. It was thought advisable that 
General Carroll and his division should be disposed in the 
rear, for the reason that there was no correct information 
of the force landed through Vi Here's canal, and because 
Jackson feared that this probably might be merely a feint 
intended to divert his attention, while a much stronger 
and more numerous division, having already gained some 
point higher on the lake, might, by advancing in his 
absence, gain his rear, and succeed in their design. Being 
thus ignorant of their movements, it was essential that he 
should be prepared for the worst, and by difft^rent dispo- 
sitions of his troops be ready to offer an effectual resist- 
ance in whatever quarter he might be assailed. General 
Carroll, therefore, at the head of his division, and Governor 
Claiborne, with the state militia, were directed to take 
post on the Gentilly road, which leads from Chef Menteur 
another landing-place, to New Orleans, and to defend it t 
the last extremity. With the remainder of his troops 
about two thousand in number, Jackson hastened down 
the river, towards the point where it had been reported 
the British had effected a landing. 

Alarm pervaded the city. The marching and counter- 
marching of the troops, the proximity of the enemy, widi 



TWENTY-THIRD OF DECEMBER. 103 

f}*o Approaching contest, and uncertainty of the issue, had 
excited a general apprehension. It was feared that the 
British might be already on their way, before the neces- 
sary arrangements could be made to oppose them. To 
prevent this, Colonel Hayne, with two companies of rifle- 
men, and the Mississippi dragoons, was sent forward to 
reconnoitre their camp, and learn their position and num- 
bers, and if they should be found advancing, to harass and 
oppose them at every step, until the main body should 
arrive. 

An inconsiderable circumstance at this moment evinced 
what unlimited confidence was reposed in Jackson's skill 
and bravery. As his troops were marching through the 
city, his ears were assailed with the screams and cries of 
innumerable females, who had collected on the way, and 
seemed to apprehend the worst of consequences. Feeling 
for their distresses, and anxious to quiet them, he directed 
Mr. Livingston, one of his aids-de-camp, to address them 
in the French language. " Say to them," said he, " not 
to be alarmed : the enemy shall never reach the city !" 
It operated like an electric shock. To know that he him- 
self was not apprehensive of a fatal result, inspired them 
with altered feelings ; sorrow was ended, and their grief 
converted into hope and confidence. 

The general arrived in view of the enemy a little before 
dark. Having previously ascertained from Colonel Hayne, 
who had been sent in advance, their position, and that their 
strength was about two thousand, though it afterwards 
proved to be three thousand, he immediately concerted 
the mode of attack, and hastened to execute it. 

General Coffee, with his brigade. Colonel Hinds' dra- 
goons, and Captain Deal's company of riflemen, was di- 
rected to march to the left, keeping near the swamp, and, if 
possible, to turn the enemy's right, and drive them towards 
the river, where the CaroHne, a schooner of war commanded 
by Commodore Patterson, would drop down and open upon 
them. The firing of the vessel was the appointed signal 
for a simultaneous attack on all sides. The rest of the 
troops, consisting of the regulars, and Planche's city vo- 
lunteers, Daquin's colored troops, and the artillery umJ^r 



104 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

Lieutenant Spotts, supported by a company of marines 
commanded by Colonel McKee, advanced on the road along 
the bank of the Mississippi, and were commanded by 
Jackson in person. 

On approaching the enemy's position, their encampment 
was discovered, by the light of their camp-fires, to be 
formed with the left resting on the river, and extending 
into the open field. General Coffee had advanced, wit 
caution and silence, beyond their pickets, next the swamp 
and nearly reached the point to which he was ordered, 
when a broadside from the Caroline announced that the 
battle had begun. Patterson had proceeded slowly, giving 
time, as he beheved, for the execution of the arrangements 
contemplated on shore. So sanguine had the British been 
in the belief that they would be kindly received, and little 
opposition attempted, that the Caroline floated by the sen- 
tinels, and anchored before their camp, without the least 
molestation. On passing the front picket, she was hailed 
in a low tone of voice, but not returning an answer, no 
further question was made. This, added to some other 
attendant circumstances, confirmed the opinion that they 
believed her to be a vessel laden with provisions, which 
had been sent out from New Orleans, and was intended 
for them. Having reached what appeared, from their 
fires, to be the centre of their encampment, her anchors 
were cast, and her character and business disclosed by her 
guns. So unexpected an attack produced a momentary 
confusion ; but recovering from their surprise, the enemy 
answered the fire with a discharge of musketry and flight 
of Congreve rockets, which passed without injury, while 
the grape and cannister from her guns were pouring de- 
struction upon them. They then extinguished their fires, 
by the light of which the vessel had directed her guns with 
remarkable precision, and retired two or three hundred 
yards into the open field. They were still within range 
of the cannon, but the darkness of the night afforded them 
considerable protection. 

General Coffee, having dismounted his men, and turned 
his horses loose, at a large ditch in the rear of Laronde's 
plantation, had gained, as he thought, the centre of the 



TWENTY-THIRD OF DECEMBER. 105 

enemy's line, when the signal from the Caroline reached 
him. He directly wheeled his column in, and forming 
his line parallel with the river, moved towards their camp. 
He had scarcely advanced more than a hundred yards, 
when he received a heavy fire from the enemy in his 
front ; this w^as an unexpected circumstance to him, be- 
cause he supposed them to be lying- principally at a dis- 
tance, and that the only opposition he should meet, until 
he approached towards the levee, would be from their ad- 
vanced pickets. The circumstance of his coming in con- 
tact with them so soon, was owincr to the severe attack of 
the schooner, which had compelled the enemy to abandon 
their camp, and form without the reach of her deadly fire. 
The moon was shining, but reflected her light too feebly 
to discover objects at a distance. The only means, there- 
fore, of producing any positive effect, with the kind of 
force engaged, which consisted chiefly of riflemen, was 
not to venture at random, but to discharge their pieces 
only when there should be a certainty of hitting the ob- 
ject aimed at. This order being given, the line pressed 
on, and having gained a position near enough to distin- 
guish the enemy, a general fire was given; it was well 
directed," and too severe and destructive to be withstood ; 
the British gave way and retreated; they rallied again, 
however, but were again attacked and forced to retire. 
The gallant yeomanry, led by their brave commander, 
pressed fearlessly on, and drove the invaders from every 
position they attempted to maintain. It was unnecessary 
for their general to encourage and allure them to deeds 
of valor : his own example was sufiicient to excite them. 
Always in their midst, he was cool and collected. Un- 
mindful of danger, he continued to remind his troops that 
*bey had often said they could fight, and now was the 
ime to prove it. 

The British, driven back by the resolute firmness and 
intrepidity of their assailants, reached a grove of orange 
trees, with a ditch running past it, protected by a fence on 
the margin, where they were halted and formed for battle. 
It was a favorable position, promising entire security, and 
it was occupied with a confidence that they could not be 

5* 



106 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

forced to yield it. Coffee's brave troops, strengthened in 
their hopes of success, moved on, nor discovered the ad- 
vantages against them, until a fire from the entire British 
line showed their position and defence. A sudden chock 
was given ; but it was only momentary, forgathering fresh 
ardor, they charged across the ditch, gave a deadly and 
destructive fire, and compelled the enemy to retire. The 
retreat continued, until gaining a similar position, the 
British made another stand, and were again driven from 
it with considerable loss. 

Thus the battle was carried on, upon the left wing, until 
the British reached the bank of the river ; here a deter- 
mined stand was made, and further encroachments resisted : 
for half an hour the conflict was extremely violent on both 
sides. The American troops could not be driven from 
their purpose, nor the British made to yield their ground ; 
but at length, having suffered greatly, the latter were un- 
der the necessity of taking refuge behind the levee, which 
afforded a breastwork, and protected them from the fatal 
fire of our riflemen. General Coffee, though unacquainted 
with their position, for the darkness had greatly increased, 
contemplated another charge; but one of his officers, who 
had discovered the advantage their situation gave them, 
assured him it was too hazardous ; that they could be 
driven no farther, and would, from the point they occu- 
pied, resist with the bayonet, and repel, with considerable 
loss, any attempt that might be made to dislodge them. 
The place of their retirement was covered in front by a 
strong bank, which had been extended into the field, to 
keep out the river, in consequence of the first bank hav- 
ing been encroached upon and undermined in several 
places : the latter, however, was still entire in many parts, 
and, interposing between them and the Mississippi, it 
afforded security from the broadsides of the schooner 
which lay off' at some distance. A further apprehension, 
lest, by moving still nearer to the river, he might greatly 
expose himself to the fire of the Caroline, which was yet 
spiritedly maintaining the conflict, induced Coffee to re- 
tire until he could hear from the commanding general, and 
receive his further orders. 



TWENTY-THIRD OF DECEMBER. 107 

During this time, the right wing, under Jackson, had 
been no less prompt and active. The advance, consisting 
of a detachment of artillery under Lieutenant Spotts, 
supported by sixty marines, moved down the road next 
the levee. On their left was the seventh regiment of in- 
fantry, led by Major Piere. The forty-fourth, commanded 
by Major Baker, was formed on the extreme left ; while 
lanche's and Daquin's battalions of city guards were di- 
rected to be posted in the centre, between the seventh and 
forty-fourth. The general had ordered Colonel Ross, (who 
acted in the capacity of brigadier-general,) on hearing the 
signal from the Caroline, to move off by heads of com- 
panies, and, on reaching the enemy's line, to deploy, and 
unite the left wing of his command with the right of Ge- 
neral Coffee's. This order was omitted to be executed ; 
and the consequence was, an early introduction of con- 
fusion in the ranks, which prevented the important design 
of unitins: the two divisions. 

Instead of moving in column from the first position, the 
troops, with the exception of the seventh regiment, next 
the person of the general, which advanced agreeably to 
the instructions that had been given, were formed and 
marched in extended line. Having sufficient ground to 
form on at first, no inconvenience was at the moment sus- 
tained ; but this advantage presently faihng, the centre 
became compressed, and was forced in the rear. The 
river gradually inclined to the left from the place where 
they were formed, and diminished the space originally pos- 
sessed. Farther in, stood Laronde's house, surrounded 
by a grove of clustered orange-trees : this pressing the 
left, and the river the right wing, to the centre, formed 
a curve, which presently threw the principal part of 
Planche's and Daquin's battalions without the line. This 
inconvenience might have been remedied, but for the 
briskness of the advance, and the darkness of the night. 
A heavy fire from behind a fence, immediately before 
them, brought the enemy to view. Acting in obedience 
to their orders, not to waste their ammunition at random, 
xur troops pressed forward against the opposition in their 
front, and thereby threw those battalions in the rear 



108 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

A fog- rising from the river, and mingling with the 
smoke from the guns, covered the plain, and gradually- 
diminished the little light shed by the moon, at the same 
time greatly increasing the darkness of the night: no clue 
was left, therefore, to ascertain how or where the enemy 
were situated. There was no alternative but to move on 
in the direction of their fire, which subjected the assail- 
ants to material disadvantages. The British, driven fron? 
their first position, had retired and occupied another, be 
hind a deep ditch that ran out of the Mississippi towards 
the swamp, on the margin of which was a wood-railed 
fence. Here, strengthened by increased numbers, they 
again opposed the advance of our troops. Having waited 
until they had approached sufficiently near their fastnesses 
to be discovered, they discharcr-ed a fire upon the advancing 
army. Instantly the American battery was formed, and 
began to play briskly upon them ; while the infantry, press- 
ing forward, aided in the conflict, which at this point was 
for some time spiritedly maintained. At this moment a 
brisk sally was made upon our advance, when the marines, 
unequal to the assault, were already giving way. The 
adjutant-general, and Colonels Piatt and Chotard, hasten- 
ing to their support, with a part of the seventh, drove the 
enemy, and saved the artillery from capture. General 
Jackson, perceiving the decided advantages which were 
derived from the position they occupied, ordered their 
line to be charged. It was obeyed with cheerfulness, 
and executed with promptness. Pressing on, our troops 
gained the ditch, and pouring across it a well-aimed fire, 
compelled them to retreat, and to abandon their intrench 
ment. The plain on which they were contending was cut 
to pieces by races from the river, to convey the water to 
the swamp. The enemy were therefore very soon en 
abled to occupy another position, equally favourable with 
the one whence they had been just driven, where they 
formed for battle, and for some time gallantly maintained 
themselves ; but they were at length, after a stubborn re- 
sistance, forced to yield their ground. 

The enemy discovering the firm and obstinate advance 
"nade by the right wing of the American army, and pre- 



TWENTY-THIRD OF DECEMBER. 109 

suming, perhaps, that its principal strength was posted on 
the road, formed the intention of attacking the left. Ob- 
liquing for this purpose, an attempt was made to turn it. 
At this moment, Daquin's battalion and the city guards, 
being .marched up and formed on the left of the forty- 
fourth regiment, met and repulsed them. 

The nature of the contest prevented securing those 
benefits which might have been derived from the artil- 
lery. The darkness of the night was such, that the blaze 
of the enemy's musketry was the only light afforded by 
which to determine their position, or be capable of taking 
that of the Americans to advantage; yet, notwithstanding, 
it greatly annoyed them, whenever it could be brought to 
bear. Directed by Lieutenant Spotts, a vigilant and skilful 
officer, with men to aid him who looked to nothing but a 
zealous discharge of their duty, the most essential and 
important services were rendered. 

The enemy had been thrice assailed and beaten, and 
compelled to retreat for nearly a mile. They had now 
retired, and if found, were to be sought for amid the dark- 
ness of the night. The general, therefore, determined to 
halt, and ascertain Coffee's position and success, before 
proceeding farther, for as yet no communication had 
passed between them. He entertained no doubt, from 
the brisk firing in that direction, that he had been warmly 
engaged ; but this had now nearly subsided : the Caro- 
hne, too, had almost ceased her operations ; it being only 
occasionally that the noise of her guns disclosed the little 
opportunity she possessed of acting efficiently. 

The express despatched to General Jackson from the 
left wing, having reached him, he determined not to pro- 
secute the successes he had gamed. The darkness of the 
*3ight, the confusion into which his own division had been 
hrown, and a similar disaster produced in Coffee's ranks, 
all pointed to the necessity of retiring from the field, and 
abandoning the contest for the time. The bravery and 
firmness already displayed by his troops, had impressed 
him with the belief, that by pushing forward he might 
capture the whole British army : at any rate, he con- 
sidered it but a game of venture and hazard, which, if 



110 LIFE OF JACKSOX. 

unsuccessful, could not occasion his own defeat. If in- 
competent to its execution, and superior numbers or su- 
perior discipline should compel him to retire in his turn, 
he well knew that the enemy would not have temerity 
enough to attempt pursuit, on account of the extreme 
darkness, and their ignorance of the situation of the coun- 
try. But on the arrival of the express from General Cof- 
fee, and having been informed of the strength of th 
position to which the enemy had retired, and that a par 
of the left wing had been detached, and were in all pro- 
bability captured, he determined to retire from the field. 
General Coffee was accordingly directed to withdraw, and 
take up his position at Laronde's plantation, where the 
hne had been first formed ; the troops on the right were 
also ordered to the same point. 

The last charge made by the left wing had separated 
Colonel Dyer from the main body, with two hundred men, 
and Captain Beal's company of riflemen. What might be 
their fate, whether they were captured or had effected 
their retreat, was, at this time, altogether uncertain. 

Colonel Dyer, who commanded the extreme left, on 
clearing the grove, after the enemy had retired, was 
marching in the direction in which he expected to find 
General Coffee ; he very soon discovered a force in front, 
and halting his men, hastened towards it ; arriving within 
a short distance, he was hailed, ordered to stop, and report 
to whom he belonged : Dyer, and Gibson, his lieutenant- 
colonel, who had accompanied him, advanced and stated 
that they were of Coffee's brigade ; by this time, they had 
nearly reached the line, and perceiving that the name of 
the brigade they had stated was not understood, their ap- 
prehensions were awakened, lest it might be a detachment 
of the enemy ; in this opinion they were immediately con- 
firmed, and having wheeled about to return, they were 
fired on and pursued. Gibson had scarcely started, when 
he fell ; before he could recover, a soldier, quicker than 
the rest, had reached him, and pinned hi'n to the ground 
with his bayonet ; fortunately he was bat slightly wound- 
ed and only held by his clothes ; thus pinioned, and per- 
ceiving others to be briskly advancing, but a moment was 



ADVENTURE OF COLOJVEL DYER. Ill 

left for deliberation ; makina: a violent exertion, and spring- 
ing to his fett, he threw his assailant to the ground, and 
made good his escape. Colonel Dyer had retreated about 
fifty yards, when his horse dropped dead. Being en- 
tangled in the fall, and receiving a wound in the thigh, 
there was little prospect of relief, for the enemy vi^ere 
briskly advancing. He therefore ordered his men, who 
were close at hand, to advance and fire, which checked 
tlie approach of the enemy, and enabled him to escape. 
Having thus discovered an enemy in a direction he had 
not expected, and uncertain how or where he might find 
General Coffee, he determined to seek him to the right, 
and moving on with his little band, forced his way through 
the enemy's hnes, with the loss of sixty-three of his men, 
who were killed and taken. Captain Beal, with equal 
bravery, charged through their ranks, carrying off some 
prisoners, and losing several of his own company. 

This body of the enemy proved to be a reinforcement 
which had arrived from Bayou Bienvenu after night. 
The boats that landed the first detachment had proceeded 
back to the shipping, and having returned, were on their 
way up the Bayou, when they heard the guns of tho 
Caroline : moving hastily on to the assistance of tho*:-e 
who had debarked before them, ihey reached the sho'-e, 
and knowing nothing of the situation of the two armies, 
during the engagement, advanced in the rear of General 
Coffee's brigade. Coming in contact with Colonel Dyer 
and Captain Beal, they filed off to the left, and reached 
the British lines. 

This detached part of Coffee's brigade, unable to unite 
wath or find him, retired to the place where they had first 
formed, and joined Colonel Hinds' dragoons, who had re- 
mained on the ground that they might cover the retreat 
of the troops if it became necessary. 

Jackson went into this battle confident of success ; and 
his arrangements were such as would have insured it even 
to a much greater extent, but for the intervention of circum- 
stances that were not and could not have been foreseen. 
The Caroline gave her signals, and commenced the battle 
a little too early, before Coffee had reached and taken his 



1 12 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

position, and before every thing was fully in readiness to 
attain the objects desired; but it was chiefly owing to the 
confusion in the ranks at first which checked the rapidity 
of Jackson's advance, gave the enemy time for prepara- 
tion, and prevented his division from uniting with the right 
wing of General Coffee's brigade. 

Colonel Hinds, and his dragoons, were not brought into 
action during the night. Interspersed as the plain was 
with innumerable ditches, diverging in different directions 
it was impossible that cavalry could act to any kind of ad- 
vantage. After the battle was over, they were formed in 
advance to Avatch the movements of the enemy until 
morning. 

From the experiment just made, Jackson beHeved it 
would be in his power to capture the British army ; he 
concluded, therefore, to order General Carroll, with his 
division, down to his assistance, and to attack them again 
at the dawn of day. Directing Governor Claiborne to 
remain at his post, with the Louisiana militia, for the 
defence of the Gentilly road, an important pass to the city, 
he despatched an express to Carroll, stating to him, that 
if there had been no appearance of a force during the 
night, in the direction of Chef Menteur, to hasten and 
join him wiih the troops under his command ; this order 
was executed by one o'clock in the morning. Previous- 
ly, however, to his arrival, a different determination was 
made. It was ascertained from prisoners who had been 
brought in, and through deserters, that the strength of the 
enemy during the battle was four thousand, and, with the 
reinforcements which had reached them after its com- 
mencement, and during the action, their force could not 
be less than six ; at any rate, it would greatly exceed that 
of the Americans, even with the addition of the Tennessee 
division. Although very decided advantages had been 
obtained, yet they had been procured under circumstances 
that might be wholly lost in a contest waged in open day, 
between forces so disproportionate, and by undiscipHned 
troops against veteran soldiers. Jackson well knew it 
was incumbent upon him to act a part entirely defensive : 
should the attempt to gain and destroy the city succeed, 



EFFECT OF THE BATTLE. 113 

numerous difficulties would present themselves, which 
might be avoided so long as he could hold the enemy in 
check, and foil their designs. 

Being firmly persuaded that it was important to pursue 
a course calculated to insure safety, and believing it at- 
tainable in no way so eflectually, as in occupying some 
point, and by the strength he might give it, compensate 
for the inferiority of his numbers and their want of dis- 
cipline, Jackson determined to make no further offen- 
sive efforts until he could more certainly discover the 
views of the enemy, and until the Kentucky troops, which 
had not yet arrived, should reach him. In pursuance of 
this idea, after having ordered Colonel Hinds to occupy 
the ground he was then abandoning, and to observe the 
enemy closely, he fell back in the morning, and formed 
his line behind a deep ditch that extended to the swamp, 
at right angles from the river. There were two circum- 
stances strongly recommending the importance of this 
place : — the swamp, which, from the highlands at Baton 
Rouge, skirted the river at irregwlar distances, and in 
many places was almost impervious, at this point, ap- 
proached within four hundred yards of the Mississippi, 
and hence, from the narrowness of the pass, was morf 
easily to be defended ; in addition to this, there was a 
deep canal, the dirt from which having been thrown on 
the upper side, already formed a tolerable work of defence. 
Behind this his troops were formed, and proper measures 
adopted for increasing the strength of the position, with 
the determination never to abandon it. 

The soldier who is familiar with the scenes of the battle- 
field, and understands what slight circumstances frequent- 
ly counteract the operations of a whole campaign, and 
produce the most decided advantages, where a different 
issue might not unreasonably have been expected, will be 
able properly to appreciate the effect of the attack made 
by General Jackson on the advance of the enemy, upon 
the night of the '23d of December. Although the dread- 
ful carnage of the 8th of January was, in point of fact, 
the finishing blow that struck down the towering hopes 
of the invaders, and put an end to the contest, yet in 



114 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

the previous engagement there was much to excite their 
fears and apprehensions. They had reached the Mis- 
sissippi witiiout the fire of a gun, and encamped upon its 
banks as composedly as if they had been seated on their 
own soil, and at a distance from all danger. These were 
circumstances which impressed them with the belief that 
they need expect but little opposition ; that success was 
certain ; and that the troops with whom they were to con- 
tend would scarcely venture to resist them. So confident 
were they in their expectations, that they intended to 
move forward the next day, and attack the city. But 
Jackson well knew how essential an early impression was 
to ultimate success, and resolved to assail them at the mo- 
ment of their landing, and "attack them in their first 
position." With a force inferior by one-half to that of the 
enemy, at an unexpected moment he had broken into their 
camp, and with his undisciplined yeomanry driven before 
him the pride of England and the conquerors of Europe. 
It was an event that could not fail to destroy all previous 
theories, and establish a conclusion which the British 
had not before formed, that they were contending against 
valor inferior to none they had seen, and before which 
their own bravery and skill availed nothing. It had the 
effect of satisfying them, that the quantity and kind of 
troops it was in our power to bring into action, were very 
different from any thing that had been represented to 
them; for much as they had heard of the courage of the 
man with whom they were contending, they could not 
suppose that a general, having a country to defend, and a 
reputation to preserve, would venture to attack a force 
greatly superior to his own, on ground they had chosen, 
and one too, which, by the numerous victories it had 
achieved, had already acquired the highest distinction. 
All these circumstances tended to convince them that 
his force must far surpass their expectations, and be com- 
posed of materials very different from what they had ima- 
gined. 

The American troops which were actually engaged in 
the action, did not amount to two thousand men, as ap- 
pears by the following statement : 



DEATH OF COLONEL LAUDERDALE. 115 

Part of Coffee's brigade and Captain Beal's company,- 
amountino- to ----- - (348 

The 7th and 44th regiments, - _ - . 7(53 
Company of marines and artillery, - - - 82 

Planche's and Daquin's battalions, - - - 488 



Total 1981 
This small body of men, for more than an hour, main- 
ained a severe conflict with a force of four or five thou- 
sand, and retired in safety from the field, with the loss 
of but twenty-four killed, and one hundred and fifteen 
wounded, and seventy-four made prisoners; while the 
killed, wounded, and prisoners of the enemy, were not 
less than four hundred. The officers and soldiers under 
Jackson executed every order with promptitude, and nobly 
sustained the honour of their country. Lieutenant-Colo- 
nel Lauderdale, of Coffee's brig-ade, an officer of great pro- 
mise, and on whom every reliance was placed, fell man- 
fully fighting at his post. He entered the service, and 
descended the river with the volunteers under General 
Jackson, in the winter of 1812; passed through all the 
hardships and difficulties of the Creek war; and ever 
manifested a commendable alacrity in the discharge of his 
duty. Young, brave, and skilful, he had already afforded 
evidences of a capacity which promised to be exceedingly 
useful in the career he had embraced. His exemplary 
conduct, both in civil and military life, had acquired for 
him a respect that rendered his death a subject of general 
regret. Lieutenant McLelland, a valuable young officer of 
the Tth, was also among the slain. General Coffee's bri- 
gade imitated the example of their commander during the 
action, and bravely and ably supported the character they 
had previously established. The unequal contest in which 
they were engaged never occurred to their minds, nor 
checked, for a moment, the rapidity of their advance. 
Had the British known that they were merely riflemen, 
and without bayonets, a firm stand would have arrested 
the;r progress, and destruction or capture would have been 
the inevitable consequence ; but this circumstance being 
unknown, every charge they made was crowned with 



116 LIFE OF JACKSON. * 

success, producing discomfiture in the opposing ranks, 
and routing and driving superior numbers before them. 
Officers, from the highest to the inferior grades, were ahke 
prompt and efficient. Ensign Leach, of the 7th regiment, 
being wounded through the body, still remained at his 
post, in the performance of his duty. Colonel Kemper, 
amid the confusion introduced on the left wing, found 
himself at the head of a handful of men, detached from 
the main body, and in the midst of a party of the enemy : 
never did any man better exemplify the truth of the as- 
sertion, that discretion is sometimes the better part of valor; 
to attempt resistance was idle, and could only end in certain 
destruction. Calling to a group of soldiers who were near 
him, in a positive tone, he demanded of them where their 
regiment was. Being themselves at fault, they were un- 
able to answer ; but supposing him to be one of their 
officers, they obeyed his orders, and followed him to his 
own line, where they were made prisoners. 

The 7th regiment, commanded by Major Piere, and the 
44th, under Major Baker, aided by Major Butler, gallant- 
ly maintained the conflict; forced the enemy from every 
position they attempted to occupy; and drove them some 
distance from the first point of attack. Confiding in them- 
selves, and in their general, who was constantly with them, 
exposed to danger and in the midst of the fight, inspiring 
them by his ardor and encouraging them by his example, 
the American soldiers bravely advanced to the conflict, nor 
evinced a disposition to retire, until the prudence of their 
commander dictated the necessary order. 



THE AMERICANS FORTIFY THEIR POSITION. 117 



CHAPTER VIII. 

1814. The Americans fortify their position — Jackson's peremptory 
orders to Major Lacoste — Defence of the Pass Barrataria — Cap- 
tain Lafitte — Attack made by the British on the 28th of December 
— Defensive preparations hastened — Death of Colonel Henderson — 
Disafiection in New Orleans — Information communicated to the 
British fleet — Stratagem of Mr. Shields — Conduct of the Louisiana 
legislature — Patriotic reply of Jackson to the committee — Attempt 
to supply his troops with arms — Gallantry of Colonel Plinds — Can- 
nonade on the 1st of January — Position of the American army- 
Jackson's orders to the Frenchman to defend his properly — De- 
fences on the right bank of the river — Caution of Jackson in con- 
cealing the number of his troops. 1815. 

The distinguishing traits in the character of General 
Jackson, as a mihtary commander, were clear-headed sa- 
gacity, promptness of decision, and rapidity of execution. 
He had no sooner resolved on the course which he thought 
necessary to be pursued, than he hastened with all possible 
dispatch, to secure its completion. After the engagement 
with the British on the night of the 23d of December, it 
was evident to his mind that it would be exceedingly un- 
wise to risk an encounter with the enemy, in an open 
field, at the head of an inferior, undisciplined, and un- 
armed force. He conceived, therefore, that a defensive 
policy was the most judicious, and that by prudence and" 
caution he would be able to preserve what might be en- 
dangered by any offensive movement. Hence, he de- 
termined to fortify himself as effectually as the peril and 
exigencies of the moment would permit. When to expect 
an attack, he could not tell ; preparation and readiness to 
meet it, were for him to determine upon ; all else was for 
the enemy. He proceeded promptly with his system of 
defence, and such was his thoughtfulness and anxiety, 
that, until the night of the 27th, when his lines were com- 



118 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

pleted, he never slept, or closed his eyes for a moment. 
Resthig- his hopes of safety and security to the city, on 
his ability to check the advance of the enemy, he was 
everywhere present, encouraging his troops, and hasten- 
ing a completion of the work. The concern and excite- 
ment produced by the important object before him, were 
so great, that for five days and four nights he was con- 
stantly employed. His line of defence, the celebrated 
cotton embankment, being completed on the night of the 
27th, for the first time since the arrival of the enemy, he 
sought that rest and repose he so much needed. 

The violence of the attack made on the night of the 
23d of December, naturally excited the fears of the British 
troops, and it was considered important to keep their ap- 
prehensions alive, with a view to destroy the overween- 
ing confidence with which they had arrived on our shores, 
and to compel them to act for a time upon the defensive. 
To effect this, General Coffee, with his brigade, was 
ordered down on the morning of the 24th, to unite with 
Colonel Hinds, and make a show in the rear of Lacoste's 
plantation. The enemy being not yet recovered from the 
panic produced by the assault of the preceding evening, 
believed it was in contemplation to urge another attack, 
and immediately formed themselves to repel it ; but Coffee, 
having succeeded in recovering some of his horses, which 
were wandering along the margin of the swamp, and in 
regaining part of the clothing that his troops had lost the 
night before, returned to the line, leaving them to con- 
jecture the object of his movement. 

The scanty supply of clothes and blankets that re- 
mained to the soldiers, from their long and exposed 
marches, had been left where they dismounted to meet 
the enemy. Their numbers were too limited, and the 
strength of their opponents too well ascertained, for any 
part of their forces to remain and take care of what was 
left behind; it was so essential to hasten on and reach 
their destination, that they might be ready to act when 
the signal was given from the Caroline, that no time was 
afforded them to secure their horses, which were turned 
loose, and their recovery trusted entirely to chance. Al 



CONDITION OF THE AMERICAN TROOPS. 119 

though many were regained, many were lost ; while most 
of the men remained with but a single suit, to encounter 
in the open field, and in swamps covered with water, the 
hardships of a camp, and the severitj'- of winter. It is a 
circumstance which entitles them to much credit, that 
under privations so severely oppressive, complaints or 
murmurs were never heard. This state of things fortu- 
ately was not of long continuance. The story of their 
ufi'erings and misfortunes was no sooner known, than the 
legislature appropriated a sum of money for their rehef, 
which was greatly increased by subscriptions in the city 
and neighborhood. Materials having been purchased, the 
ladies, with that Christian charity and warmth of heart 
characteristic of their sex, at once exerted themselves in 
supplying their wants; all their industry was called into 
action, and in a little time the suffering soldiers were re- 
heved. Such generous conduct, in extending assistance, 
at a moment when it was so much needed, while it con- 
ferred on those females the highest honor, could not fail 
to nerve the arm of the brave soldier with new zeal for the 
defence of his fair benefactors. This distinguished mark 
of their patriotism and benevolence is still remembered ; 
and often, as these valiant men are heard to recount the 
dangers tht-y have passed, and with peculiar pride to 
dwell on the mingled honors and hardships of the cam- 
paign, they breathe a sentiment of gratitude for those who 
conferred upon them such distinguished marks of their 
kindness, and who by their timely interference alleviated 
their misfortunes and their suff.>rings. 

in order to prevent the advance of the enemy, and keep 
up a show of resistance, detachments of light troops Avere 
occasionally kept in front of their line, assailing and ha- 
rassing their advanced posts, whenever an opportunity 
was offered for acting to advantage. Every moment that 
could be gained, and every delay that could hinder or retard 
the enemy's attempts to reach the city, was of the utmost 
importance. The works were rapidly progressing, and 
hourly increasing in strength. The militia of the siaie 
were every day arriving, and every day the prospeci of 
successful opposition became brighter and more auspicious. 

6 



120 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

The enemy still remained at iheir first encampment ; 
but that every thing might be in readiness to repel an 
assault, when attempted, the most active preparations were 
made in the American camp. The canal covering the 
front of the line was deepened and widened, and a strong 
mud wall formed of the earth that had been originally 
thrown out. To prevent any approach until his system 
of defence should be in a state of greater forwardness, 
Jackson ordered the levee to be cut about a hundred yards 
below the point he had occupied. The river being very 
high, a broad stream of water passed rapidly through the 
plain, and covered it to the depth of thirty or forty inches 
which prevented the march of troops on foot. Embra- 
sures were formed, and two pieces of artillery, under the 
command of Lieutenant Spotts, were placed in a position 
to rake the road leading up the levee, early on the morn 
ing of the 24th of December. 

General Jackson was under the constant apprehension 
lest, in spite of his exertions below, the city might be 
reached and destroyed through some oiher route. His 
fears were increased on the 24th, by a report that a strong 
force had arrived ; debarked at the head of Lake Borgne; 
and compelled an abandonment of the defence at Chef 
Menteur. This, however, proved to be unfounded : the 
enemy had not appeared in that direction, nor had the 
officer to whom the command of this important fort was 
intrusted, forgotten his duty or forsaken his post. Acting 
upon the statement that Major Lacoste had retired from 
the fort, and fallen back on Bayou St. John, and incensed 
that orders, which, from their importance, should have 
been faithfully executed, had been thus lightly regarded, 
Jackson hastened to inform him what he had understood, 
and to forbid his leaving his position. " The battery I 
have placed under your command," said the general, 
" must be defended at all hazards. In you, and the valor 
of your troops, I repose every confidence — let me not be 
deceived. With us every thing goes on well ; the enemy 
has not yet advanced. Our troops have covered them- 
selves with glory : it is a noble example, and worthy to 
be followed by all. Maintain your post, nor ever think 



ORDERS TO MAJOR LACOSTE. 121 

of retreating." To give additional strength to a place 
deemed so important, and to inspire confidence and insure 
safety, Colonel Dyer, with two hundred men, was ordered 
there, to assist in its defence, and act as videttes, in ad- 
vance of the occupied points. 

General Morgan, who commanded the fort on the east 
bank of the river, was instructed to proceed as near the 
enemy's camp as prudence and safety would permit, and 
b}^ destroying the levee, to let in the waters of the Missis- 
sippi between them. The execution of this order, and a 
similar one previously made below the line of defence, 
entirely insulated the enemy, and prevented his march 
against either place. On the 25th, the commanding ge- 
neral, fearing for the situation of Morgan, who, as the 
British occupied the intermediate ground, was entirely 
detached from his camp, directed him to abandon the post, 
carry off such of the cannon as might be wanted, and 
throw the remainder into the river, where they could be 
again recovered when the waters receded ; and after doing 
this, to retire across the river, and assume a position on 
the right bank, nearly opposite to his line, and fortify it. 
This movement was rendered necessary by the relative 
disposition of the two armies. 

From the intelligence obtained through deserters and 
prisoners, it was evident that the British fleet would make 
an efibrt to ascend the river, and co-operate with the troops 
already landed. Lest this, or a diversion in a different 
quarter, might be attempted, exertions were made to offer 
resistance at all points, and to interpose such defences on 
the Mississippi as might secure protection. The forts on 
the river, being well supported with brave men and heavy 
pieces of artillery, might, it was thought, have the effect 
to deter their shipping from venturing in that direction, 
and dispose them to seek some safer route, if any could 
be discovered. Pass Barrataria was best calculated for 
this purpose, and it was expected that the effort would, in 
all probability, be made in that quarter. The difficulty of 
ascending the Mississippi, from the rapidity of the cur- 
rent, its winding course, and the ample protection already 
given at forts St. Philip and Bourbon, were circumstances 



122 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

to which the British were not strangers : nor was it to be 
expected that, with a knowledge of them, they would 
venture the success of an enterprise on which so much 
depended. It was a more rational conjecture that they 
would seek a passage through Earrataria, proceed up on 
the right bank of the river, and gain a position from which, 
by co-operating with the forces on the east side, they might 
drive the Americans from the line they had formed, and 
succeed in the accomplishment of their designs. Major 
Reynolds was accordingly ordered thither, with instruc- 
tions to place the bayous emptying through this pass in 
the best possible state of defence — to occupy and strength- 
en the island — to mount sufficient ordnance, and draw a 
chain within cannon-shot across the channel. Lafitte, 
who had previously been promised a pardon for the out- 
rages committed against the laws of the United States, and 
who had already shown a lively zeal on behalf of his 
adopted country, was also despatched with Reynolds. 
He was selected, because no doubt was entertained of his 
fidehty, and because his knowledge of the topography and 
precise situation of this section of the state was remark- 
ably correct : it was the point where he had constantly 
rendezvoused, while cruising against the merchant vessels 
of Spain, under a commission obtained at Carthagena, and 
where he had become perfectly acquainted with every 
inlet and entrance to the gulf, through which a passage 
could be effected. 

With these arrangements, all being anxiously alive to the 
interests of the country, and disposed to protect it, there 
was little room to apprehend or fear disaster. To use the 
general's own expression on another occasion : " the surest 
defence, and one which seldom failed of success, was a 
rampart of high-minded and brave men." That there 
were some of this description with him, on whom he 
could safely rely in moments of extreme peril, he well 
knew ; but that there were many strangers to him and to 
danger, who had never been called to act in situations 
where the horrors of the field of battle appal and unnerve 
even the most resolute, was equally certain ; whether 
they would support the cause in which they had em- 



MOVEMENTS OF THE BRITISH. 123 

barked, with manly firmness, and realize his anxiou§ 
wishes on the subject, could be known only in the hour 
of conflict and trial. 

As yet, the enemy were not informed of the position of 
Jackson. What was his situation — what was intended — 
whether offensive or defensive operations would be pur- 
sued, were matters in regard to which they possessed no 
correct knowledge, nor could it be obtained ; still their 
exertions were unremitting to have all things prepared, 
and in readiness to urge their designs, whenever the mo- 
ment for action should arrive. They had been constantly 
engaged since their landing, in procuring from their ship- 
ping every thing necessary to u Iterior operations. A com- 
plete command on the lakes, and possession of a point on 
the margin, presented an uninterrupted ingress and egress, 
and afforded the opportunity of conveying whatever was 
wanted, in perfect safety, to their camp. The height of 
the Mississippi, and the discharge of water through the 
openings made in the levee, had given an increased 
depth to the canal, from which they had first debarked ; 
they were enabled to advance their boats much farther in 
the direction of their encampment, and to bring up, with 
greater convenience, their artillery, bombs, and munitions. 
They were thus engaged during the first three days after 
their arrival, and early on the morning of the 27th a bat- 
tery was discovered on the bank of the river, which had 
been erected during the preceding night, and on which 
were mounted several pieces of heavy ordnance ; from 
this position a fire was opened on the Caroline schooner, 
lying under the opposite shore. 

After the battle of the 23d, in which this vessel ren- 
dered such effectual assistance, she passed to the opposite 
side of the river, where she had since lain. Her services 
were too highly appreciated not to be again desired, should 
the enemy endeavor to advance. Her present situation 
was considered an unsafe one, but several vain attempts 
had been made to advance her higher up the stream. No 
favorable breeze had yet arisen to aid her in stemming 
the current ; and towing, and other remedies, had been 
already resorted to, but without success. Her safety might 



124 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

have been ensured by floating her down the river, and 
placing her under cover of the gnns of the fort; but it 
was preferred, as a matter of policy, to risk her where 
she was. Commodore Patterson left her on the 26th, by 
the order of the commanding general, when Captain Henly 
made a further but ineffectual effort to force her up the 
current, near to the line, for the double purpose of its de- 
fence and for her own safety. 

This attempt being discovered at daylight on the morn- 
ing of the 27th, a battery, mounting five guns, opened 
upon her, discharging bombs and red-hot shot ; it was 
spiritedly answered, but without affecting the battery ; 
there being but a long twelve-pounder that was of service. 
The second fire lodged a hot shot in the hold, directly 
under her cables, whence it could not be removed, and 
where it immediately communicated fire to the schooner. 
The shot from the battery were constantly taking eff ct, 
firing her in different places, and otherwise producing 
material injury ; while the blaze, already kindled undei 
her cables, was rapidly extending its ravages. A well 
grounded apprehension of her commander, that she could 
be no longer defended, — the flames bursting forth in dif- 
ferent parts, and fast increasing — induced a fear lest the 
magazine should be soon reached, and every thing de- 
stroyed. One of his crew being killed, and six wounded, 
and not a glimmering of hope entertained that she could 
be preserved, orders were given to abandon her. The 
crew reached the shore in safety, and in a short time after- 
wards she blew up. 

Although thus unexpectedly deprived of so material a 
dependence for successful defence, an opportunity was 
soon presented of using her brave crew to advantao-e. 
Gathering confidence irom Avhat had just been effected, 
the enem)^ left their encampment, and moved in the direc- 
tion of the American line. Their numbers had been in- 
creased, and Major-General Sir Edward Packenham now 
commanded in })erson. Early on the 2^th, his columns com- 
menced their advance to storm the works. At the distance 
of half a mile, their heavy artillery opened, and quantities 
of bombs, balls, and Congreve rockets were discharged. It 



ATTACK ON THE TWENTY-EIGHTH. 125 

was a scene of terror and alarm, which they had probably 
calculated would excite a panic in the minds of the raw 
troops of our army, and compel them fo surrender at dis- 
cretion, or abandon their strong-hold. But our soldiers 
had afforded abundant proof, that, whether disciplined or 
not, they well knew how to defend the honor and interests 
of their country ; and had sufficient valor not to be alarmed 
at the reality — still less at the semblance of danger. Far 
from exciting their apprehensions, and driving them from 
their ground, their firmness remained unchanged ; and 
they still manifested a determination not to tarnish a re- 
putation they had hardly earned, and which had become 
too dear, from the difficulties and dangers they had passed 
to acquire it, to be tamely surrendered. The Congreve 
rockets, though an instrument of destruction to which 
the American troops had been hitherto strangers, excited 
no other feeling than that which novelty inspires. At 
the moment, therefore, that the British, in different co- 
lumns, were moving up, in all the pomp and parade of 
battle, preceded by the insignia of terror more than dan- 
ger, and expecting to behold their "Yankee foes" retire 
and fiee before them, the batteries opened, and checked 
their advance. 

In addition to the two pieces of cannon mounted on the 
works on the 21th, three others, of heavy calibre, obtained 
from the navy department, had been formed along the line ; 
these opening on the enemy, checked their progress, and 
disclosed to them the hazard of their project. Lieutenants 
Crawley and Norris volunteered, and with the crew of the 
Caroline rendered important services, and maintained at 
the puns they commanded that firmness and decision for 
which, on previous occasions, they had been so highly 
distinguished. They had been selected by the general 
because of their superior knowledge in gunnery ; and on 
this occasion gave a further evidence of their skill and 
judgment, and of a disposition to act in any situation 
where they could be serviceable. The line, which, from 
the labors bestowed on it, was daily strengthening, was 
not yet in a situation to offer effectual resistance; this de- 



126 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

ficiency, however, was remedied by the brave men who 
were formed in its rear. 

The ofreatest injury was effected from the river. Lieu- 
tenant Thompson, who commanded the Louisiana sloop, 
which lay nearly opposite the hne of defence, no sooner 
discovered the cohimns approaching, than, warpintr her 
around, he brought her starboard guns to bear, and pro- 
duced such an effect as forced them to retreat; but from 
their heavy artillery, the enemy maintained the conflict 
with great spirit, constantly discharging their bombs and 
rockets for seven hours, when, unable to make a breach, 
or silence the fire from the sloop, they abandoned a contest 
where few advantages seemed to be presented. The 
crew of this vessel was composed of new recruits, and of 
discordant materials — of soldiers, citizens, and seamen ; 
yet, by the activity of their commander, they were so 
well perfected in their duty, that they already managed 
their guns with the greatest precision and certainty of 
effect ; and by three o'clock in the evening, with the aid 
of the land batteries, had completely silenced and driven 
back the enemy. Emboldened by the effect produced the 
day before, on the Caroline, the furnaces of the enemy 
were put in operation, and numbers of hot shot thrown 
from a heavy piece which was placed behind and pro- 
tected by the levee. An attempt was now made to carry 
it off*, when their former protection being taken away, 
those in the direction of it were fairly exposed to the Ame- 
rican fire, and suffered greatly. In their endeavors to re- 
move it, " r saw," says Commodore Patterson, " distinct- 
ly, with the aid of a glass, several balls strike in the midst 
of the men who were employed in dragging it awa}'." 
In this engagement little or no injury was received. The 
Louisiana sloop, against which the most violent exertions 
were made, had but a single man wounded, by the fragments 
of a shell which burst over her deck. Her entire loss did 
not exceed nine killed, and eight or ten wounded. The 
enemy being more exposed, acting in the open field, and 
in range of her guns, suffered, from information after- 
wards procured, considerable injury ; at least one hundrfc»4 
and twenty were killed and wounded. 



DEATH OF COLONEL HENDERSON. 127 

Among- the Americans killed was Colonel James Hen- 
derson, of the Tennessee militia. An advance parly of the 
British had taken post, during the action, behind a fence that 
ranobhquely to, and not very remote from our line. Hen- 
derson, with a detachment of two hundred men, was sent 
out by General Carroll to drive them from a position whence 
they were effecting- some injury, and greatly annoying 
his troops. Had he advanced in the manner directed, 
he would have been less exposed, and enabled more effec- 
tually to have secured the object intended : but misunder- 
standing the order, he proceeded in a different route, and 
tell a victim to his error. Instead of marching in the di- 
rection of the wood, and turning the enemy, which might 
have cut off their retreat, he proceeded in front, towards 
the river, leaving them in rear of the fence, and himself 
and his detachment open and exposed. His mistake be- 
ing perceived from the line, he was called by the adjutant- 
general, and directed to return ; but the noise of the wa- 
ter, through which they were wading, prevented any 
communication. Having reached a knoll of dry ground, 
he formed, and attempted the execution of his order; but 
soon fell from a wound in the head. Deprived of their 
commander, and perceiving their situation hazardous and 
untenable, the detachment retreated to the line, with the 
loss of their colonel and five men. 

While this advance was made, a column of the enemy 
was threatening an attack on the extreme left. To frustrate 
the attempt, General Coffee was ordered with his riflemen 
to hasten through the woods and check their approach. 
The enem3\ although greatly superior to him in numbers, 
no sooner discovered his movement, than they retired, and 
abandoned the attack they had previously meditated. 

The evident disaffection in New Orleans, and the pre- 
ence of an enemy in front, were circumstances well cal- 
culated to excite unpleasant forebodings. General Jackson 
believed it necessary and essential to his security, while 
contending with avowed foes, not to be wholly inattentive 
to dangers lurking at home ; but, by guarding vigilantly, 
to be able to suppress any treasonable purpose the moment 
it should be developed, and before it should have time to 

6* 



128 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

mature. Previously, therefore, to departing from the city, 
on the evening of the 23d, he had ordered Major Buller, 
his aid, to remain with the guards, and be careful that 
nothing transpired in his absence calculated to operate in- 
juriously. His fears that there were many of the inha- 
bitants who felt no attachment to the government, and 
would not scruple to surrender it whenever it should be- 
come necessary to their interest, has been already noticed. 
Subsequent circumstances evinced that there was no mis- 
take in this belief, and showed that to his assiduity and 
energy it is to be ascribed that the country was protected 
and saved. It is a fact, which was disclosed on making 
an exchange of prisoners, that, despite all the efforts 
made to prevent it, the enemy were daily and constantly 
apprised of ever}'- thing th.it transpired in the camp. 
Every arrangement, and every change of position, was 
immediately communicated. On the day subsequent to a 
contest on the lakes on the 14lh of December, Mr. Shields, 
a purser in the navy, was despatched with a flag, to Cat 
island, accompanied by Dr. Murrell, for the purpose of 
alleviating the situation of the wounded, and to effect a 
negotiation, by which they should be liberated on parol. 
We are not aware that such an application militated 
against the usages and customs of war : if not, the flag 
of truce should have been respected ; nor ought its bearer 
to have been detained as a prisoner. Admiral Cochrane 
pretended to be fearful that it was a trick designed to 
ascertain his strength and situation, but this was very far 
from presenting any sufficient excuse for so wanion an 
outrage on propriety and the rules of war. If, indeed, 
such a result was apprehended, could not the messengers 
have been met at a distance from the fleet, and ordered 
back without a near approach ? Had this been done, no 
information could have been gained, and the object de- 
signed to be secured by the detention would have been 
answered, without infringing that amicable mtercourse 
between contending armies, which, when violated or dis- 
regarded, opens a door to brutal and savage warfare. 
When it was found in the American camp, that they did 
not return, the cause of it was at once correctly divined. 



TRAITORS IN THE CITY. 129 

The British admiral was very sohcitous, and resorted 
to various means, to obtain from these gentlemen informa- 
tion of the strength, condition, and disposition of the Ame- 
rican army ; but so cautious a reserve was maintained, 
that nothing could be elicited. Shields was perceived to 
be quite deaf, and calculating on some advantage to be de- 
rived from this circumstance, he and the doctor were 
placed at night in the green-room, where an}-- conversa-\ 
tion which occurred between them could readily be heard. 
Suspecting, perhaps, something of the kind, after having 
retired, they began to speak of their situation — the cir- 
cumstance of their being detained, and of the prudent 
caution with which they had guarded themselves against 
communicating any information to the British admiral. 
But, continued Shields, how greatly these gentleman will 
be disappointed in their expectations, for Jackson, with 
the twenty thousand troops he now has, and the reinforce- 
ments from Kentucky, which must speedily reach him, 
will be able to destroy any force that can be landed from 
these ships. Every word was heard and treasured, and 
not supposing there was any design, or that he presumed 
himself overheard, they were beguiled by it, and at once 
concluded our force to be as great as it was represented , 
and hence, no doubt, arose the reason of that prudent care 
and caution with which the enemy afterwards proceeded ; 
for "nothing," remarked a British officer, at the close of 
the invasion, "was kept a secret from us, except your 
numbers ; this, alihough diligently sought after, could 
never be procured." 

Between the 2-M, and the attempt on the 28ih, to carry 
the line. Major Butler, who remained at his post in the 
city, was applied to by Mr. Skipwith, at that time Speaker 
of the Senate, to ascertain the connnanding general's 
views, provided he should be driven from his line of en- 
campment, and compelled to retreat through the city ; 
and the question was asked, whether, in that event, he 
would destroy it ? It was, indeed, a curious inquiry from 
one who, having spent his life in serving his country in 
different capacities, might better have understood the duty 
of a subordinate officer; and that even, if, from his situa- 



130 LIFE OF JACKSON 

tion, Major Butler had so far acquired the confidence of 
his g-t neral as to have become acquainted with his views 
and designs, he was not at hberty to divulge them, with- 
out destroying confidence and acting criminally. Upon 
asking the cause of the inquiry, Mr. Skipwith replied, it 
was rumored, and so understood, that if driven from his 
position, and made to retreat upon the city, General .Tack- 
son had it in contemplation to lay it in ruins; the legis- 
lature, he said, desired information on this subject, that if 
such were his intentions, they might, by offi-ring terms of 
capitulation to the enemy, avert so serious a calamity. 
That a sentiment having lor its object a surrender of the 
city, should be entertained by this body, was scarcely 
credible; yet a few days made it still more apparent, and 
showed that they were already devising plans to insure 
the safety of themselves and property, even at any sacri- 
fice. While the general was hastening along the line, he 
was hailed by Mr. Duncan, one of his volunteer aids, and 
informed that it was already agitated in secret, by the 
members of the legislature, to oIFlt terms of capitulation 
to the enemy, and proffer a surrender, and that Governor 
Claiborne awaited his orders on the subject. Critical as 
the time was, the safety or fall of the city being still un- 
certain, U was plainly to be perceived, that, although with 
a strong army before them, no such resolution could be 
carried into effect, yet it might be productive of evil, and 
in the end bring about the most fatal consequences. Even 
the disclosure of such a wish on the part of the legislature 
might create parties, excite opposition in the army, and 
insj)ire the enemy with renewed confidence. Tlie Ten- 
nessee forces, and Mississippi volunteers, could not be af- 
fected by the measure ; but it might detach the Louisiana 
militia, and even extend itself to the ranks of the regular 
troops. Jackson was greatly incensed, that those whose 
safety he had so much at heart should be seeking, under 
the authority of office, to mar his best exertions. He was 
too warmly pressed at the moment to give it the attention 
its importance merited ; but availing himself of the first 
leisure moment, he apprized Governor Claiborne of what 
he had heard ; — ordered him to watch the conduct of the 



THE LOUISIANA LEGISLATURE. 131 

legislature closely, and the moment a project of offering- a 
capitulation to the enemy should be fully disclosed, to 
place a f^uard at the door and confine them to their cham- 
ber. The governor, in his zeal to execute the command, 
and from a fear of the consequences involved in such con- 
duct, construed the order to be imperative, and placing an 
armed force at the door of the capilol, prevented the mem- 
bers from convening, and tlieir schemes from maturing. 

The purport of this order was either essentially mis- 
conceived by the governor; or, with a view to avoid sub- 
sequent inconveniences and complaints, was designedly 
mistaken. Jackson's object was not to restrain the legis- 
lature in the discharge of their official duties ; Jbr although 
he thought that such a moment, when the sound of the 
lannon was constantly pealing in their ears, was inauspi- 
cious to wholesome legislation, and that it would have 
bftter comported with the state of the times for .them to 
abandon their civil duties and appear in the field, yet it 
was a matter indelicate to be proposed : and it was hence 
preferred, that they should adopt whatever course might 
be suggested by their own notions of propriety. This 
opinion would have been still adhered to; but when, 
through the communication of Mr. Duncan, they were 
represented as entertaining opinions and schemes adverse 
to the g( neral interest and safety of the country, the ne- 
cessity of a new and different course of conduct was at 
once obvious. But he did not order Governor Claiborne 
to interfere with or prevent them from proceeding with 
their duties ; on the contrary, he was instructed, as soon 
as any thing hostile to the general cause should be ascer- 
tained, to })lace a guard at the door, and keep the mem- 
bers to their post and to their duty. " My objt ct in this," 
remarked the general, "was, that they would then be 
able to proceed with their business without producing ihe 
slightest injury : whatever schemes they might entertain 
would have remained with tliemselves, without the power 
of circulating thtm to the prejudice of any other interest 
tlian thtir own. I had intended to have had them well 
treated and kindly dealt by ; and thus abstracted from 
every thing passing without doors, a better opportunity 



132 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

would have been afforded them to enact good and whole- 
some laws ; but Governor Claiborne mistook my order, 
and instead of shutting them in doors, contrary to my 
wishes and expectations turned them out." 

Previous to this occurrence, Jackson had been waited 
on by a special committee of the legislature, to know what 
his course would be, should necessity compel him to 
abandon his position. " If," replied the general, " I 
thought the hair of my head could divine what I should 
do, I would cut it off forthwith ; go back with this answer; 
say to your honorable body, that if disaster does overtake 
me, and the fate of war drives me from my line to the 
city, they may expect to have a very warm session." 
"And what did you design to do," asked a friend, " pro- 
vided you had been forced to retreat?" "I should," he 
replied, " have retreated to the city, fired it, and fought 
the enemy amid the surrounding flames. There were 
with me men of wealth, owners of considerable property, 
who, in such an event, would have been among the fore- 
most to have applied the torch to their own buildings; 
and what they had left undone, I should have completed. 
Nothing for the comfortable maintenance of the enemy 
would have been left in the rear. I would have destroyed 
New Orleans — occupied a position above on the river — 
cut off' all supplies, and in this way compelled them to 
depart from the country." 

We shall not pretend to ascribe this conduct of the le- 
gislature to disaffection, or to treasonable motives. No 
doubt the impulse that produced it was interest — a prin- 
ciple of the human mind which strongly sways, and often 
destroys its best conclusions. The disparity of the two 
armies, in numbers, preparation, and discipline, had ex- 
cited apprehension, and destroyed hope. If Jackson wer 
driven back, and little else was looked for, rumor an 
nounced his determination of devoting the city to destruc- 
tion : but even if such were not his intention, the wrath 
and vengeance of the enemy might be fairly calculated to 
be in proportion to the opposition they should receive. 
Although these considerations may somewhat palliate, 
they do not justify. The government was represented in 



niS VIGILANCE. 133 

the person of the commanding- jrpneral, on whom rested 
all responsibility, and whose voice on the subject of re- 
sistance or capitulation should alone have been heard. In 
the field were persons who were enduring hardships and 
straining every nerve for the general safety. A few of 
ihe members of their own body, too, were there who did 
not des{:ond. Might not patriotism, then, have admo- 
nished these men, honored as they were with the confi- 
dence of the people, rather to have pursued a course 
having for its object to keep up the excitement, than to 
have endeavored to introduce fear and paralyze exertion ? 
Such conduct, if productive of nothing worse, was well 
calculated to excite alarm. If the militia, who had been 
hastily drawn to the camp, and who were yet trembling 
for the safety of their families, had been told that a few 
private men of standing in society had expressed their 
opinions, and declared resistance useless, it would with- 
out doubt have occasioned serious apprehensions; but in 
a much greater degree would they be likely to arise, 
when told that the members of the legislature, chosen to 
preside over the safety and destinies of the state, after 
due deliberation, had pronounced all attempts at success- 
ful opposition vain and ineffectual. 

Here was an additional reason why expedients should 
be devised, and every precaution adopted, to prevent any 
communication by which the slightest intelligence should 
be had of their situation, already indeed sufficiently deplor- 
able. Additional guards were posted along the swamp, 
on both sides of the Mississippi, to arrest all intercourse ; 
while on the river, the common highway, watch boats 
were constantly plying during the night, in different di- 
rections, so that a log could scarcely float down the stream 
unperceived. Two flat-bottomed boats, on a dark night. 
were turned adrift above, to ascertain if vigilance w^re 
preserved, and whether there would be any possibility of 
escaping the guards, and passing in safety to the British 
lines. The light boats discovered them on their passage, 
and on the alarm being given, they were opened upon by 
the Louisiana sloop, and the batteries on the shore, and in 
a few minutes were sunk. In spite, however, of every 



134 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

precaution, treason still discovered avenues iLi-ou^h which 
to project and execute her nefarious plans, and informa- 
tion was constantly afforded to the enemy. 

As an evidence of the extent of the in/oimation im- 
parted to the officers of the British army, Charles K. 
Blanchard, who was on board the fleet, additssed a letter 
to General Jackson, in which he gave the sul^stance of a 
conversation with a quarter-master of one of the vessels, 
and said that he was told, "that the commandino- officers 
of the British forces were daily in the receipt of every in- 
formation from the city of New Orleans which thay might 
require, in aid of their operations, for the com^^ietion of 
the objects of the expedition : that they were perfectly 
acquainted with the situation of every part of our forces, 
the manner in which the same was situated, the number 
of our fortifications, their strength, position, &c. As to 
the battery on the left bank of the Mississippi, he de- 
scribed its situation, its distance from the main post, and 
promptly offered me a plan of the works. He further- 
more stated, that the above information was received from 
seven or eight persons, in the city of New Orleans, from 
whom he could, at any hour, procure every information 
necessary to promote His Majesty's interest." 

Great inconvenience was sustained for the want of arms, 
and much anxiety felt, lest the enemy, through their faith- 
ful adherents, might on this subject also obtain information. 
To prevent it as far as possible. General Jackson endea- 
vored to conceal the strength and situation of his army, by 
suffering his reports to be seen by none but himself and 
the adjutant-general. Many of the troops in the field 
were supplied with common guns, which were of little 
service. The Kentucky troops, who were daily expected, 
were also understood to be badly provided with arms 
Believing that the city might yet contain many article 
that wou-d be serviceable, orders were issued to the mayor 
of New Orleans, directing him diligently to inquire through 
every store and house, and take possession of all the mus- 
kets, bayonets, spades, and axes, he could find. He was 
also instructed to obtain a register of every man in the 
city under the age of fifty, that measures might be con 



THE FIRST OF JANUARY. 135 

corted for drawing forth those who had hitherto appeared 
backward in engaging in the pending contest. 

Frequent light skirmishes by advanced parties, without 
material loss on either side, were the only incidents that 
took place for several days. Colonel Hinds, at the head 
of the Mississippi dragoons, on the 30th of December, was 
ordered to dislodge a party of the enemy who, under co- 
ver of a ditch that ran across the plain, were annoying the 
American fatigue parties. In advancing, he was unex- 
pectedly thrown into an ambuscade, and became exposed 
to the fire of a line which had hitherto been concealed and 
unobserved. His collected conduct and gallant deport- 
ment extricated him from the danger in which he was 
placed, and gained for him and his corps the approbation 
of the commanding general. The enemy, being forced 
from their position, retired, and the colonel returned to the 
line with the loss of five of his men. 

The British were encamped two miles below the Ame- 
rican army, on a perfect plain, and in full view. Although 
foiled in their attempt to carry the works by the force of 
their batteries on the 2Sth, they resolved upon another 
attack, which they believed would be more successful 
Presuming their failure to have arisen from not having 
sufficiently strong batteries and heavy ordnance, a more 
enlarged arrangement was resorted to, with a confidence 
of silencing opposition, and effecting such breaches in the 
intrenchment as would enable their columns to pass, with- 
out being exposed to any considerable hazard. The in- 
terim between the 2Sth of December and the 1st of Ja- 
nuary was accordingly spent in preparing to execute their 
designs. Their boats were desj)atched to the shipping, 
and an additional supply of heavy cannon landed through 
Bayou Bienvenu, where they had first debarked. 

During the night of the 81st of December they were 
busily engaged. An impenetrable fog, which was not 
dispelled until nine o'clock the next morning, aided them 
in the plans they were projecting, and gave time to 
complete their works. When the mist disappeared, se- 
veral heavy batteries, at the distance of six hundred yards, 
mounting eighteen and twenty-four pound carronades, 



136 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

were presented to view. No sooner was it sufficiently 
clear to distinguish objects at a distance, than these were 
opened, and a tremendous burst of artillery commenced, 
accompanied with Congreve rockets, that filled the air in 
all directions. Our troops, being protected by a defence, 
which they believed to be impregnable, were unmoved 
and undisturbed. The British, through the friendly in- 
terference of some disaffected citizens, having been ap 
prised of the fact that the general occupied a house at 
small distance in the rear of his line of defence, directed 
against it their first and principal efforts. So great was 
the number of balls thrown, that in a little while its porti- 
coes were beaten down, and the building made a complete 
wreck. This dishonorable attempt to destroy Jackson was 
unsuccessful ; as it was a constant practice with him, on 
the first appearance of danger, not to wait in his quarters 
watching events, but instantly to proceed to the line, and 
be ready to form his arrangements as circumstances might 
require. Constantly in expectation of an attack, he was 
never absent from the post of duty ; and he had repaired, 
at the first sound of the cannon, to aid in the defence, and 
inspire his troops with firmness. The guns along the Ame- 
rican line were opened to repel the assault, and a constant 
roar of cannon, on both sides, continued until nearly noon ; 
when, by the superior skill of Jackson's engineers, the 
two batteries formed on the right, next the woods, were 
nearly beaten down, and many of the guns dismounted, 
broken, and rendered useless. That next the river still 
continued its fire until three o'clock; when, perceiving 
all attempts to force a breach ineffectual, the enemy gave 
up the contest and retired. Every act of theirs discovered 
a strange delusion, and showed upon what wild and 
fanciful grounds all their expectations were founded. 
That the American troops were well posted, and strongly 
defended by pieces of heavy ordnance, mounted along 
their line, was a fact well known; yet a belief was con- 
stantly indulged that the undisciplined collection which 
constituted the strength of our army, would be able to de- 
rive little benefit from such a circumstance; and that ar- 
tillery could produce but shght advantages in the hands 



FAILURE OF THE ATTACK. 137 

of persons who were strangers to the manner of using- it. 
That many who, from necessity, were called to the direc- 
tion of the guns, were at first entire!}^ unacquainted with 
their management, is indeed true ; yet the accuracy and 
precision with which they threw their shot, afforded con- 
vincing proof, either that they possessed the capacity of 
becoming in a short time well acquainted with the art of 
gunnery, or that it was a science the acquisition of which 
was not attended with insurmountable diHicuhies. 

That they would be able to effect an opening, and march 
through the strong defence in their front, was an idea so 
fondly cherished by the British, that an apprehension of 
fdilure had scarcely been conceived. So sanguine were 
they in this belief, that early in the morning their soldiers 
were arranged along the ditches, in rear of their batteries, 
prepared to advance to the charge the moment a breach 
could be made. 

Perceiving that their attempts must fail, and that such 
an effect could not be produced as would warrant their 
advance, another expedient was resorted to, but with nc 
better success. It occurred to the British commander 
tiiat an attack might be made with adv^antage, next to the 
woods, and a force was accordingly ordered to penetrate 
in this direction, and turn the left of our line, which was 
supposed not to extend farther than to the margin of the 
swanip. In this way it was expected a diversion could 
be made, while the reserve columns, being in readiness 
and waiting, were to press forward the moment this object 
could be effected. Here, too, disappointment resulted. 
G*^neral Coffee's brigade, being already extended into the 
sv'amp, as far as it was possible for an advancing party to 
p^'neirate, brought unexpected dangers into view, and oc- 
C'rsioned an abandonin' nt of the project. The genius and 
fcesight of Jiickson had provided against this emergency. 
Although cutting the levee had raised the waters in the 
swamp, and increased the difficulties of keeping troops 
ther. , yet a fear lest this pass might be sought by tlie 
enemy, and the rear of the line thereby gained, had de- 
termined the general to extend his defences in that direc- 
tion. This had been intrusted to General Coffee, and a 



138 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

more arduous duty could scarcely be imagined. To form 
a breastwork in such a place was attended with many 
difficulties and considerable exposure. A slight defence, 
however, had been thrown up, and the underwood, for 
thirty or forty yards in front, cut down, that the riflemen 
stationed for its protection might have a complete view of 
any force that might attempt a passage through this route. 
When it is recollected that this position was to be main- 
tained night and day, and that the only opportunity afforded 
our troops for rest was on logs and brush thrown together, 
by which they were raised above the surrounding water, 
it may be truly said, that it has seldom fallen to the lot of 
men to encounter greater hardships ; but accustomed to 
privation, and alive to those feelings which a love of coun- 
try enkindles, they obeyed without complaining, and cheer- 
fully kept their position until all danger had ceased. 
Sensible of the importance of the point they defended, 
and that it was necessary to be maintained, be the sacri- 
fice what it might, they looked to nothing but a zealous 
and faithful discharge of the trust confided to them. 

Our loss in this affair was eleven killed and twenty- 
three wounded ; that of the enemy was never correctly 
known. The only certain information is contained in a 
communication of the 28th of January, from General Lam- 
bert to Earl Bathurst, in which the casualties and losses, 
from the 1st to the 5th, are stated at seventy-eight. Many 
allowances are to be made for this report. It was written 
at a time when, from the numerous disasters encountered, 
it was not to be presumed the general's mind was in a 
situation patiently to remember the facts, or minutely to 
detail them. From the great precision of the American 
fire, and the injury visibly sustained by their batteries, 
their loss was no doubt con.siderable. The enemy's heavy 
shot having penetrated Jackson's intrenchment in many 
places, it was discovered not to be as strong as had at first 
been imagined. Fatigue parties were again employed, 
and its strength daily increased ; an additional number of 
bales of cotton were taken to be applied to strengthening 
and defendino- the embrasures alons^ the line. A French- 
man, whose property had been seized, without his consent, 



DEFENCE OF THE RIGHT BANK. 139 

fearful of the injury it might sustain, proceeded in person 
to General Jackson to reclaim it, and to demand its delivery. 
The general, having heard his complaint, and ascertained 
from him that he was unemployed in any military service, 
directed a musket to be brought to him, and placing it in 
his hand, ordered him on the line, remarking, at the same 
time, that as he seemed to be a man possessed of property, 
he knew of none who had a better right to fight and to 
defend it. 

The British again retired to their encampment. It was 
well understood by Jackison that they were in daily ex- 
pectation of considerable reinforcements ; though he rested 
with confidence in the belief that a few more days would 
also bring to his assistance the troops from Kentucky. 
Each party, therefore, was busily and constantly engaged 
in preparation, the one to wage a vigorous attack, the other 
bravely to defend, and resolutely to oppose it. 

The position of the American army was in the rear of 
an intrenchment formed of earth, and which extended in 
a straight line from the river to a considerable distance in 
the swamp. In front was a deep ditch, which had been 
formerly used as a mi!l-race. The Mississippi had re- 
ceded and left the ditch dry, next the river, though in many 
places the water still remained. Along the line, and at 
unequal distances, to the centre of General Carroll's com- 
mand, were guns mounted, of different calibre, from six to 
thirty-two pounders. Near the river, and in advance of 
the intrenchment, was erected a redoubt, with embrasures, 
commanding the road along the levee, and calculated to 
rake the ditch in front. 

We have heretofore stated, that General Morgan was 
ordeied, on the 2Ith of December, to cross to the west bank 
of the Mississippi. From an apprehension entertained 
that an attempt might be made through Barrataria, and 
the city reached from the right bank of the river, the 
general had extended his defences there likewise : in fact, 
unacquainted with the enemy's views, not knowing the 
number of their troops, nor but that they might have suffi- 
cient strength to make an assault in different quarters, and 
anxiously sohcitous to be prepared at all points, he care- 



140 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

fully divided his forces. His greatest fear was for the 
Chef Menteur road, and hence his strongest defence, aside 
from the principal encampment, was in that quarter, where 
Governor Claiborne, at the head of the Louisiana militia, 
was posted. The position on the right was formed on the 
same plan with the line on the left, but lower down ihac 
the latter, and extending to the swamp at right angles tc 
the ri''er. At this point General Morgan was stationed. 

To be prepared against every possible contingency that 
might arise, Jackson had. established another line of de- 
fence, about two miles in the rear of the one at present 
occupied, which was intended as a rallying point if he 
should be driven from his first position. With the aid of 
his cavalry, to give a momentary check to the adv^ance ®f 
the enemy, he expected to be enabled to reach it without 
much injury, and be again in a situation to dispute a 
fujther passage to the city, and arrest the progress of the 
enemy. To inspirit his own soldiers, and to exhibit to 
the enemy as great a show as possible of strength and 
intended resistance, his unarmed troops, which consti- 
tuted no inconsiderable number, were stationed here. 
All intercourse between the lines, except by confidential 
officers, was prohibited ; and every precaution and vigi- 
lance employed, not only to keep this want of preparation 
concealed from the enemy, but even from being known in 
his own ranks. 



ARRIVAL OF TROOPS FROM KENTUCKY. 141 



CHAPTER IX. 

IS15. Arrival of fresh troops from Kentucky — Preparations of both 
armies for an attack — The disposiiion of Jackson's Ibrce made 
known to the British by a desener — Success of Colonel Thornion 
on the right bank ol the river — Eagerness of the American soldiers 
for an engagemeni — Activity and energy of Jackson — '1 he eighth 
of January — Advance of the British towards the American in- 
trenchments — Destructive fire from the fortification? — Repulse of 
*the British — Death of Sir Edward Packenham — Terrible havoc 
made in the ranks of the enemy — Bravery of Colonel Rennie — 
Number of killed and wounded in the battle — Watchword of the 
British army — Generous benevolence of the American soldiers^ 
An armis i e proposed by General Lambert and accepted, with 
modifications — Brave coiiducl of the Ameri an troops — Want of 
arms prevents Jackson from capturing the whole British army- 
English version of the battle. 1815. 

After the cannonade on the 1st of January, nothing 
of interest occurred in the movements of either army, prior 
to the memorable day which, while it placed the reputa- 
tion of General Jackson for military genius and skill, on a 
level with that of the ablest commanders of the ap;e, shed. 
an unfading lustre on the American arms. A straggling 
fire was kept up, but it produced little or no effect. Both 
parties were actively engaged in watching the movements 
of each othrr, and in making preparations; the one for a 
contemplated attack, and the other for an effectual resist- 
ance. On the 4th day of the month, the long-expected 
reinforcement from Kentucky, of twenty-two hundred and 
fifty men, under the command of Major-general Thomas, 
arrived at the American head-quarters ; but they were so 
(11 provided with arms as to be incapable of rendering any 
efficient service. The alacrity with which the citizens of 
that state had proceeded to the frontiers, and aided in the 
nc "th-western campaigns, added to the disasters which ill 

7 



143 LIFE OF JACKSON 

timed policy or misfortune had produced, had created such 
a scarciiy of arms that they were not to be procured. The 
force under General Thomas had confidently expected to 
be supplied on their arrival. About five hundred of 
them had tnuskets; the rest were provided with guns, 
which were more or less unserviceable. The mayor of 
New Orleans, at the request of General Jackson, had al- 
ready examined and drawn from the city every weapon 
that could be found; while the arrival of the Louisiana 
mihtia, in an equally unprepared situation, rendered it 
impossible for the evil to be effectually remedied. A boat 
laden with arms intended for the use and defence of the 
lower country, was somewhere on the river; but where 
it was, or when it might arrive, rested entirely on hope 
and conjecture. Expresses had been despatched up the 
river, for three hundred miles, to seek and hasten it on ; 
still there were no tidings of its approach. That so many 
brave men, at a moment of such anxious peril, should be 
compelled to stand with folded arms, unable, from their 
situation, to render the least possible service to their coun- 
try, was an event greatl}' to be deplored, and did not fail 
to excite the feelings of the commanding general. His 
aciive mind could discover no means by which their ser- 
vices might be made available, and no alternative was pre- 
sented, but to place them at his intrenchment in the rear, 
conceal their actual condition, and by the show they might 
make, add to his appearance and numbers, without at all 
increasing his efl^ective strength. 

Information was now received, that Major-general Lam- 
bert had joined the British commander in chief, with a 
considerable reinforcement. It had been previously an- 
nounced in the American camp that additional forces were 
expected, and something decisive might be looked for as 
soon as they should arrive. This circumstance, in con- 
nection with others no less favoring the idea, led to the 
conclusion that a few days more would, in all probability, 
bring on the struggle wfiich was to decide the fate of ihe 
city. It was more than ever necessary to keep the siiua- 
lion of the American army concealed, and General Jack- 
son deteriuined at once to restrict all communication, even 



PREPARATIONS FOR AN ATTACK. 148 

with his own hnes. None were permitted to leave the 
line, and none from without to pass into his camp, but 
such as were to be implicitly confided in. The chain of 
sentinels was strengthened in front, to prevent a passage 
to the enemy, should desertion be attempted ; yet, notwith- 
standing his caution and vigilance, the condition of his 
army, and its disposition in the inlrenchments, were made 
known to the enemy, by a soldier who eluded the sentinels, 
nd made his escape, on the night of the 6th of January. 
His desertion was discovered early next morning, and it 
was rightly conjectured that he had gone to the British 
camp, and would afford them all the information in his 
power to communicate. This opinion, as subsequent cir- 
cumstances disclosed, was well founded; and dearly did 
he atone his crime. He unfolded to the British the situ- 
ation of the American line, the number of the reinforce- 
ments lately arrived, and the unarmed condiiion of many 
of the troops ; and pointing to the centre of General Car- 
roll's division, as a place occupied by militia alone, he re- 
commended it as the point where an attack might be most 
safely and prudently made. 

I'he information obtained by the commanding general 
on the 7th, confirmed him in the belief that an attack was 
in contemplation. It was ascertained from some prisoners 
taken on the lake, that the enemy were busily engaged in 
deepening Villere's canal, with the intention of passing 
their boats and ordnance into the Mississippi. During 
the day a constant bustle was perceived in their camp. 
Their soldiers were continually in motion along the borders 
of the canal, marching and manoeuvring, for no other pur- 
pose except that of concealing the men who were busily 
engaged at work in the rear. In order to ascertain the 
cause and object of this uncommon movement, as far as 
was practicable, Commodore Patterson proceeded down 
the river, on the opposite side, and having gained a favor- 
able position in front of their encampment, discovered 
them to be actually engaged in deepening the passage to 
the river. It was no difficult matter to divine their pur- 
pose. It was clearly evident that an assault was intended 
to be made on the line of defence commanded by General 



144 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

Morgan ; which, if successful, would expose the Ameri- 
cans on the left bank to the fire of the redoubt erected on 
the right, and in this way compel them to an abandonment 
of their position. It was important to counteract this de 
sign ; and measures were immediately taken to preven- 
its execution. The force on the right bank was increased 
The second regiment of Louisiana militia, and four hun- 
dred Kentucky troops, were ordered to reinforce the troops 
occupying that side of the river. Owing to some delay 
and difficulty in arming them, the latter, amounting, in- 
stead of four hundred, to but one hundred and eighty, did 
not arrive uniil the morninof of the bth. A little before 
day they were despatched to the aid of an advanced party, 
under the command of Major Arnaut, who had been s> nt 
to watch the movements of the enemy, and oppose their 
landing. The hopes indulged from thtrir opposition were 
not realized ; and the enemy reached tlie shore unmolested. 
The position of General Morgan, besides being strength- 
ened by sevc'ral brass twelves, was defended by a strong 
battery, mounting twenty-four pounders, under the direc- 
tion of Commodore Patterson, which was an itnporiant 
addition to its strength and security. The line itself was 
not strong; yet, if properly maintained by the troops se- 
lected for its defence, it was believed to be fully adi^quate 
to the purpose of successful resistance. Late at night, 
Patterson ascertained that the enemy had succeeded in 
passing their boats through the canal, and immediately 
communicated his information to the general. The com- 
modore had already formed the idea of dropping the 
Louisiana schooner down, to attack and sink them. This 
thought, though well conceived, was abandoned, on ac- 
count of the danger involved, and from an apprehension 
lest the batteries erected on the river, with which she 
would come in collision, might, by the aid of hot shot 
succeed in blowing her up. It was preferred patiently t 
await the arrival of the enemy, in the belief that it would 
be practicable, with the bravery of more than fifteen hun- 
dred men, and the advantages possessed from their line of 
defence, to maintain their position, and repel the assail- 
ants. In this expectation they were disappointed, as 



PREPARATIONS FOR AN ATTACK. 145 

Morgan was compelled to abandon his position by the de- 
tachment under Colonel Thornton. 

On the left bank, where the creneral commanded in per- 
son, every thing was in readiness to meet the assault 
when it should be made. The redoubt on the levee was 
defended by a company of the seventh regiment, under 
the command of Lieutenant Ross. The regular troops 
occupied that part of the intrenchment next the river. 
General Carroll's division was in the centre, supported by 
the Kentucky troops, under General John Adair ; while 
the extreme left, extending for a considerable distance into 
the swamp, was protected by the brigade of General Coffee. 
How soon the attack would be made, was a matter of 
uncertainty; but the brave soldiers whom Jackson had 
gathered around him, calmly awaited the approach of 
the enemy, behind the breastwork of cotton bags which 
the sagacity of their commander had provided, not as a 
shelter for cowardice, but as a protection against the onset 
of a superior force. Sharing the same high hopes and the 
same lofty enthusiasm that swelled in his bosom, they 
snuffed the breeze that bore to their ears the sounds of 
an approaching conflict, with as much eagerness as the 
war-worn veterarT inured to the scenes of the battle-field. 
The general himself was not dismayed, either by the con- 
dition of his troops, or the great disparity of numbers when 
compared with the enemy, but, unmoved by appearances, 
he anxiously desired a contest, which he beheved would 
give a triumph to his arms, and terminate the hardships 
of his suffering soldiers. Unremitting in his exertions, 
and constantly vigilant, his precaution kept pace with the 
zeal and preparation of the British commander. He sel- 
dom slept : he was always at his post, performing the du- 
ties of both general and soldier. His sentinels were doubled, 
and extended as far as possible in the direction of the 
British camp : while a considerable portion of the troops 
were constantly at the lines, with arms in their hands, 
ready to act when the first alarm should be given. 

For eight days had the two armies lain upon the same 
field, in view of each other, without any thing decisive 
havinof been effected on either side. Twice since their 



146 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

landing had the British columns attempted to carry out 
their plans by storm, and twice had they been compelled 
to relinquish the attempt, and retire from the contest. It 
was not to be expected that matters would continue to re- 
main in such a doubtful state. The pride of the English 
soldiery, the boasted conquerors of Europe, were there, 
with distinguished generals for their leaders, who earnest- 
ly desired to announce their signal achievements to the 
country and to the w^orJd. The high expectations which 
had been indulged in regard to the success of this expedi- 
tion, were to be realized at every peril, or disgrace would 
follow the fiiilure. 

The Sth of January at length arrived. At the dawn 
of day, the signals intended to produce concert in the 
enemy's movements were discovered. A skyrocket was 
perceived rising in the air, on the left of their line, near 
the swamp, which was answered by another on the right, 
next the river. The Briiish columns were instantly put 
in motion, and advanced with such rapidiiy, that the 
American outposts had barely time to reach the lines. 
The sky was lighted with blazing Congreve rockets, and an 
incessant shower of shells and bombs was poured from the 
British batteries, which, thouoh demolished on the first 
of the month, had been re-established and remounted with 
heavy pieces of cannon, during the preceding night. 

The enemy's force advanced in two divisions, com- 
manded by Sir Edward Packenham in person, supported 
by Generals Keane and Gibbs ; the right pressing forward 
against the centre of General Carroll's command, and the 
left against the redoubt on the levee. The dense fo^r 
which spread over the river and the adjacent country, en- 
abled them to approach within a short distance of the 
American intrenchment before they were perceived. 
They were then discovered advancing with a firm, quick, 
and steady pace, in columns, with a front of sixty or seven- 
ty deep. The Americans had been in readiness for some 
time, waiting their appearance, and as they approached 
they gave three hearty cheers, ^vhen, upon the instant, 
their whole line was lighted with the blaze of their fire. 
A burst of artillery and small arms, pouring with desiruc- 



BATTLE OF NEW ORLEANS. 147 

livo aim upon them, mowed down their front, and arrested 
their nJvance. In the musketry, there was not a moment's 
intermission: as one party discharged their pieces, another 
succeeded; ahernately loading and appearing, no pau^e 
could be perceived — it was one continued volley. The 
columns already perceived their dangerous and exposed 
situation. Battery No. 7, on the left, was ably served by 
liieutenant Spolts, and galled them with an incessant and 
d-'structive fire. Batteries Nos. and 8 were no less ac- 
tively employed, and no less successful in filling them to 
the ground. Notwithstanding the severity of the fire, 
which (t'W troops could for^a moment have withstood, some 
brave men pressed on, and succeeded in gaining the ditch 
in front of the works, where the}"- remained during the 
action, and were afterwards made prisoners. The horrors 
before them were too great to be withstood, and the British 
columns soon began to waver in their determination, and 
retire from the conflict. At this moment, Sir Edward 
Packenham hastened to the front, and endeavored to en- 
courage and inspire them with renewed zeal. His exam- 
ple was of short duration ; he soon fell, mortally wounded, 
in the arms of his aid-de-camp, not far from the American 
line. Gifnerals Gibbs and Keane also fell, and were borne 
from the field (langerously wounded. At this moment, 
General Lambert, who was advancing at a small distance 
in the rear, with the reserve, met the columns precipitate 
\y retreating, and in great confusion. His efforts to stop 
them were unavailing; they continued their retreat until 
they reached a ditch at the distance of four hundred 3'ards. 
where they were rallied and halted. 

The fit Id before them, over which they had advanced, 
was strewed with the dead and dying. Danger still ho- 
vered around them ; but the imporiunities of their officers 
finally prevailed so far as to induce them to advance once 
more to the charge. They were already near enough to 
deploy, and were endeavoring to do so; but the same con- 
stant and unremitting fire that caused their first retreat, 
continued without abatement. The American batteries 
had never ceased their fire; their constant discharges of 
grape and canister, and the fatal aim of the musketry, 



148 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

mowed down the front of the columns as fast as they 
could be formed. Satisfird that nothing' could be done, 
and that certain destruction awaited all further attempts, 
they forsook the contest and the field, in disorder, loavinjT 
it almost entirely covered with the dead and wounded. It 
was in vain their officers endeavored to animate them to 
further perseverance, and equally vain to attempt coercion. 
The panic produced by the dreadful repulse they had ex- 
perienced, and the terrible havoc^made in their ranks, 
while with their most zealous exertions they had been 
unable to obtain the slightest advantage, were circum- 
stances well calculated to make even the most submissive 
soldier rebel against the authority that would control him. 
The light companies of fusileers, the forty-third and 
nin(>ty-lhird regiments, and one hundred men from the 
West India regiment, forming the left of General Keane's 
command, led by Colonel Rennie, wi-re ordered to pro- 
ceed under cover of some chimneys standing in the field, 
until they had cleared them, when they were directed to 
oblique to the river, and availing themselves of the protec- 
tion afibrded by the levee, to advance against the redoubt 
on the right of the American line. This work had been 
but recently commenced, and was in an unfinished state. 
It was only on the fourth of the month that General Jack- 
son, much against his own opinion, yielded to the sug- 
gestiotis of the other officers, and permitted the work to 
be commenced. The plan of its projection was such, that 
it was impossible to defend it against an attack, in its in- 
complete condition. Rennie executed his orders with 
great bravery, and pressing forward rapidly, soon reached 
the ditch. His advance was greatly annoyed by Commo- 
dore Patterson's battery on the left bank of the river, and 
the cannon mounted on the redoubt; but having reached 
the works, he gallantly passed the ditch, sword in hand. 
He instantly leaped on the wall, and calling to his troops, 
bade them follow him. The words had scarcely lefi his 
lips, when he fell by the fatal aim of a rifleman. Over- 
powered by the impetuosity of the superior numbers who 
were mounting the wall and entering at the embrasures, 
the Americans retired to the line, in rear of the redoubt. 



BATTLE OF NEW ORLEANS. 149 

A momentary pause ensued, but only to be interrupted 
by increased horrors. Captain Beal, with the city rifle- 
men, perceiving the enemy in his front, opened upon them, 
and at every discharge brought numbers of them to the 
ground. To advance, or maintain the point gained, was 
equally impracticable for the enemy : to retreat or sur- 
render was the only alternative ; for they already per- 
ceived that the division on the right was thrown into con 
fusion, and hastily leaviTig the field. 

General Jackson being informed of the partial success 
of the enemy on the right, and of their having obtained 
temporary possession of the redoubt, sent a detachment to 
retake it; but previous to its arrival, the enemy had 
abandoned the work, and commenced retiring. They 
were severely galled in their retreat by such of the guns 
as could be brought to bear. The levee afforded them 
considerable protection; yet they suffered greatly from 
Commodore Patterson's redoubt on the right bank. Bemg 
enfiladed by this on their advance, they had sustained con- 
siderable injury, and now in their retreat were no less 
severely assailed. Numbers found a grave in the ditch 
before the line ; and of those who originally gained the 
redoubt, it is believed that not one escaped : they were 
shot down as fast as they entered. The route along which 
they advanced and retired was strewed with bodies. Af- 
frighted at the carnage, the surviving members of the de- 
tachment fled from the scene hastily and in confusion. 
The American batteries still continut^d to pour fonh their 
deadly fire, cutting them down at every step: safety 
seemed only to be attainable by retiring beyond the range 
of the shot; which, to troops gall, d so severely as they 
were, was too remote a relief. Influenced by this con- 
sideration, they fled to the ditch, whither the right divi- 
sion had retreated, and there remained until night per- 
mitted them to retire. 

The loss of the British in the main attack on the left 
bank, has been variously stated. The killed, wounded 
and prisoners, as ascertained on the day after the battle, 
by Colonel Hayne, the inspector-general, was twenty-six 
hundred General Lambert's report to Lord Bathurst, 

7* 



150 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

Slated it to be but two thousand and seventy. Judging 
from the accounts given by the prisoners, and information 
derived through other sources, it must have been even 
greater than was represented in either account. Among 
the killed, were the commander in chief, and Major-general 
Gibbs, who died of his wounds the next day, besides 
many other valuable and distinguished officers. The loss 
of the Americans, in killed and wounded, was but thirteen. 
Their effective force at the line on the left bank, was three 
thousand seven hundred ; that of the enemy was, at least, 
nine thousand. The whole number of troops landed has 
been differently reported ; but the best information places 
it at about fourteen thousand. A part of this force was 
with Colonel Thornton ; the chmate had rendered many 
unfit for the duties of the field ; while a considerable 
number were killed and wounded, in the different contests 
previous to that on the 8th. Their real strength, there- 
fore, may be fairly estimated at the number we have 
stated ; at any rate, it could hardly be less. 

It is very evident that the assault on the American in- 
trenchments w^as considered by the British commander 
in chief, an undertaking of greater magnitude than was 
openly admitted. The officer who leads his troops on a 
forlorn attempt, not unfrequently places before them al- 
lurements stronger than either authority or duty. On this 
occasion, inducements were held out, than which nothing 
could have been more inviting to a licentious soldiery fresh 
from the horrid scenes enacted at the storminof of St. Se- 
bastian. The charms of the dark-eyed beauties of Spain 
were not represented to be more attractive, than were those 
of our fair country-women, who looked to the gallant little 
band assembled on the banks of the Mississippi, for safely 
and protection. The cupidity of the British soldiers was 
excited by the hope of plunder, and the most lawless pas- 
sions of their natures were aroused to desperation, by the 
promised triumph over female innocence and purity. 
This fact has often been questioned, and in some in- 
stances positively denied ; but the circumstances pre- 
sented at the time of the transaction, leave no doubt of its 
truth. The books of two of the orderly sergeants taken 



BATTLE OF NEW ORLEANS. 151 

in battle, and the voluntary statements of prisoners, show 
conclusively, that " beauty and booty,'''' was the watch- 
word of the day. These words, it is true, in and of them- 
selves, might not, under certain circumstances, be regarded 
as of any weight ; but when we consider the situation of 
the American army, and the defenceless condition of the 
city, if Jackson had been defeated, they assume an im- 
portance, which points irresistibly to the conclusion, that 

hey were not idly adopted. It was fortunate for New 
Orleans, and its inhabitants, that the gallantry of the 
American general and the brave men who followed him 
to _the battle-field, was sufficient to repel the attack of 
soldiers prompted to acts of courage and daring, by mo- 
tives which disgrace and debase humanity. 

The events of the 8th of January, afford abundant 
evidence of the generous kindness of the American sol- 
diers, and exhibit a striking difference in the troops of the 
two nations. While those of one were incited to acts of 
bravery and duty, by the promised pillage and plunder of 
the inhabitants, and the commission of the most odious 
crimes ; the other fought for their kindred and their coun- 
try, and having repelled their assailants, instantly laid 
aside their enmity, and regarding their fallen foemen as 
brethren, hastened to relieve them, in several instances, 
at the hazard of their lives. The desperate courage of 
many of the British soldiers brought them close to the 
very ramparts, where they were shot down, and lay badly 
wounded. When the firing had ceased and the columns 
had retired, the Americans left their lines, to assist ir 
bringing in their wounded enemies who were near the in 
trenchment ; but while engaged in this commendable ac 
of charity and kindness, they were fired upon by the 
British, from the ditch they had occupied, and several ot 

hem were seriously injured. Notwithstanding this das- 
tardly attack, the American soldiers persevered in then 
laudable efforts to administer to the wants, and relieve the 
sufferings, of the v/ounded and dying. 

Shortly after the British retired, a communication was 
received from Major-general Lambert, on whom the com- 
mand devolved after the fall of Generals Packenham, 



152 LIFE OF JACKSOT«. 

Gibbs, and Keane, acknowledging the kindness shown to 
his wounded men, and soliciting permission to bury the 
dead, and bring ofT those who were dangerously wounded. 
General Jackson refused to permit a near approach to his 
hnes, but consented that the wounded who were at a 
greater distance than three hundred yards from the in- 
trenchment should be relieved, and the dead buried: 
those nearer his lines, he agreed should be delivered over 
by his own men, to be interred by their countrymen. 
This precaution was taken, in order that the enemy might 
not have an opportunity to inspect, or learn any thing 
concerning his position, or the situation of the troops 
under his command. About noon, a proposition was 
made by General Lambert, for the cessation of hostih'ties 
until the same hour the next day. In the hope of being 
able to secure an important advantage which he had in 
contemplation, by his apparent willingness to comply with 
the proposal, General Jackson drew up an armistice and 
forwarded it to General Lambert, with directions for its 
immediate return, if approved. It contained a stipulation 
this effect: that hostilities on the left bank of the river 
should be discontinued from iis ratification, but that on the 
right bank, where Colonel Thornton had driven Morgan 
from his position, they should not cease; and that in the 
interim, under no circumstances were reinforcements to 
be sent across by either party. This was a bold stroke at 
stratagem ; and although it succeeded even to the extent 
desirtrd, was yet attended with considerable hazard. Re- 
inforcements had been ordered over to retake the position 
lost by Morgan, in the morning, and the general presumed 
they had arrived at their point of destination ; but at this 
time they had not passed the river, and it was not to be 
expected that it could be retaken by the same troops who 
had yielded it the day before, when possessed of ad- 
vantages which gave them a decided superiority. The 
commanding general well knew this; yet, to spare the 
sacrifice of his men, which he foresaw must be consider- 
able, in any attempt to regain it, he was disposed to 
venture upon a course which, he felt assured, could not 
fail to succeed, it was impossible that his object could 



AN ARMISTICE GRANTED. 153 

be discovered, and he confidently believed the British 
coininander would infer, from the prompt and ready man- 
ner in which his proposal had been met, that such addi- 
tional troops were already thrown over as would be fully 
adequate to the purpose of attack, and greatly to endanger, 
if not wholly to cut off Colonel Thornton's retreat. Ge- 
neral Lambert's construction was such as had been antici- 
pated. Although the armistice contained a request that 
it should be immediately signed and returned, it was neg- 
lected to be acted upon until the next day ; and Thornton 
and his command re-crossed the river, under cover of the 
night, and the ground they had occupied was peaceably 
left to the possession of the original holders. 

The opportunity thus afforded, of regaining a position on 
which, in a great degree, depended the safety of those on 
the opposite shore, was accepted with an avidity its import- 
ance merited, and immediate measures were taken to in- 
crease its strength, and prepare it against any future attack 
that might be made. This delay of the British commander 
was evidently designed, in order that while the negotiation 
was pending, and before it was concluded, an opportunity 
might be had, either of throwing over reinforcements, or 
removing Colonel Thornton and his troops from a situa- 
tioii so extremely perilous. Early next morning, General 
Lambert returned his acceptance of what had been pro- 
posed, with an apology for having failed to reply sooner : 
he excused the omission, by pleading a press of business, 
which had occasioned the communication to be overlooked 
and neglected. Jackson was at no loss to attribute the 
delay to the correct motive ; the apology, however, was 
as perfectly satisfactory to him as any thing that could 
have been offered ; beyond the object intended to be ef- 
fected, he felt unconcerned, and having secured this, he 
rested perfectly satisfied. The armistice was concluded 
on the 9ih of January, and it was agreed that it should be 
continued until two o'clock in the evening. The dead 
and wounded were removed from the field ; those within 
the line of demarcation, which the British were not per- 
mitted to cross, being delivered to them by the Americans, 
in accordance with the terms of the stipulation. 



154 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

It has seldom happened, that officers have been more 
deceived, or atoned more severely for their error, than was 
the case with those commanding the British troops on this 
occasion. They seem to have taken it for granted that 
the militia would not maintain their ground when warmly 
assailed ; and that at the approach of veteran troops, they 
would at once forsake the contest, and seek safety in flight. 
At what part of our line they were stationed, was as- 
certained by information derived through a deserter ; and 
influenced by the belief that they wanted nerve and were 
deticient in bravery, the main assault was made at this 
pomt. They were indeed militia ; but the enemy could 
have assailed no part of the American intrenchment where 
they would have met a warmer reception, or where they 
would have found greater strength ; it was certainly the 
best defended part of the line. The Kentucky and Ten- 
nessee troops, under Generals Carroll, Thomas, and Adair, 
were there, and they had already won, on former occa- 
sions, a reputation that was too dear to be sacrificed. 
These divisions, alternately charging their pieces and 
mounting the platform, poured forth a constant fire, that 
was impossible to be withstood, repelled the advancing 
columns, and drove them from the field with prodigious 
slaughter. So enraged were the British officers at their 
repulse, and so firmly persuaded that the information 
given them by the deserter was false, that they called 
their informant before them, to account for the mischief 
he had done. It was in vain he urged his innocence, 
and with the most solemn protestations, declared he had 
stated the fact truly as it was. They could not be con- 
vinced — it was impossible that they had contended against 
any but the best disciplined troops ; and without further 
ceremony, the poor fellow was suspended in view of the 
camp, and expiated his treachery, if not his misrepresen 
tations, on the gibbet. 

The gallant conduct of the American troops at the bat 
tie of New Orleans, has often been the subject of com 
mendation. Their bravery and zeal were conspicuous 
during the continuance of the contest. It was impossible 
for men to serve under such a leader as Jackson, without 



BRITISH ACCOUNT OF THE BATTLE. 155 

becomings imbued with the same dauntless courage which 
he always exhibited. Bold without being rash, daring 
without being reckless, his own noble bearing was suffi- 
cient to arouse emotions of patriotism where none had ex- 
isted. The Hth of January was a momentous day, not 
merely in his history, but also in that of the country. He 
felt the importance of the occasion, but nothing caused 
him to waver or hesitate. Those who were present at 
the battle, concur in saying, that there was a grandeur and 
sublimity about him, as he rode along the lines, that was 
absolutely irresistible. Every order was given with prompt- 
ness and decision. Above the thunder of the artillery, and 
the roar of musketry, he was heard cheering and en- 
couraging his men. Wherever his eagle-eye flashed, it 
excited the most intense enthusiasm ; and when the shrill 
notes of his trumpet voice were heard amidst the din of 
battle, every heart beat with a stronger pulsation, and 
every arm was nerved with tenfold vigor. 

After the battle. General Jackson could have easily 
captured every man belonging to the British force, on the 
land, if he had been supplied with arms, according to his 
repeated and urgent requests, and agreeably to the pro- 
mises that were made to him. The want of these com- 
pelled him to remain stationary in his position, until the 
opportunity had passed. The British crossed the river, 
and embarked on board the vessels waiting to receive 
them, without further molestation. The account given 
by them of the battle, is so very different from what really 
took place, and there is such an evident attempt to conceal 
the extent of their defeat, that it is well worthy the pe- 
rusal. The following official bulletin, professing to give 
a statement of the affair, was issued from the war office in 
London, on the reception of the intelligence : 

" War Depart7nent, March 8, 1815. 

" Captain Wylly arrived this morning, with despatches 

from Major-general Lambert, detailing the operations 

against the enemy in the neighborhood of New Orleans. 

It appears that the army, under the command of Major- 



156 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

general Keane, was landed at the head of the Bayonne, 
in the vicinity of New Orleans, on the morning of the 23d 
of December, without opposition ; it was, however, at- 
tacked by the enemy in the course of the night succeed- 
ing the landing, when, after an obstinate contest, the 
enemy were repulsed at all points, with considerable loss 
On the morning of the 25th, Sir E. Packenham arrived, 
and assumed the command of the army. On the 27th, at 
daylight, the troops moved forward, driving the enemy's 
pickets to within six miles of the town, when the main 
body of the enemy was discovered, posted behind a breast- 
work, extending about one thousand yards, with the right 
resting on the Mississippi, and the left on a thick wood. 
The interval between the 27th of December and the 8th 
of January, was employed in preparations for an attack 
upon the enemy's position. The attack which was in- 
tended to have been made on the night of the 7th, did not, 
owing to the difficukies experienced in the passage of the 
Mississippi, by a corps under Lieutenant-colonel Thorn- 
ton, which was destined to act on the right bank of the 
river, take place till early on the morning of the 8th. 
The division to whom the storming of the enemy's work 
was intrusted, moved to the attack at that time, but being 
too soon discovered by the enemy, were received with a 
galling and severe fire from all parts of their line. Ma- 
jor-general Sir Edward Packenham, who had placed him- 
self at the head of the troops, was unfortunately killed at 
the head of the glacis, and Major-generals Gibbs and 
Keane were nearly at the same moment wounded. The 
effect of this upon the troops caused a hesitation in their 
advance, and though order was restored by the advance 
of the reserve under Major-general Lambert, to whom the 
command of the army had devolved, and Colonel Thorn- 
ton had succeeded in the operation assigned to him on the 
right bank of the river ; yet the major-general, upon the 
consideration of the difficulties which yet remained to be 
surmounted, did not think himself justified in ordering a 
renewal of the attack. The troops, therefore, retired to 
the position which they had occupied previous to the 



BRITISH ACCOUNT OF TPIE BATTLE. J57 

attack. In that position they remained until the evenino- 
of the 16th, when, the whole of the wounded, with the 
exception of eighty, (whom it was considered dangerous 
to remove,) the field artillery, and all the stores of 
every description, having been embarked, the army re- 
tired to the head of the Bayonne, where the landing 
had been originally c9ected. and re-embarked without 
molestation." 



I5S LIFE OF JACKSON. 



CHAPTER X. 

1815, Gratitude of the citizens of New Orleans to their deliverer — 
Jackson strengthens his position — Anonymous publica!io!is incilitig 
his troops to revolt — The author placed in arrest — Judge Hall or- 
dered into custody for his interfere n.-e — 'I'lie British retire t » their 
shipping — Treaty of peace signed — Cessation ot hostilities — Jack- 
son submits to the fine imposed by tbe judge — Farewell address lo 
his troops — Return to Nashville — Depredations committed by the 
Seminole Indians — Jackson ordered to take command of the s'-uth- 
ern army — Enteis Florida with his army — Execution of Arbuihnot 
and Ambripter — Capture of St. Marks and Pensacola — Termination 
of hostilities — Jackson's conduct approved — Appointed governor of 
Florida — Administration of his judicial duties — Difficulty wi-h tl'.e 
PJx-governor, Callava — Jackson's ill health compels him to return 
home, 182 J. 

The successful defence made by General Jackson 
aj^ainst the attempt to storm his intrenchments, banished 
all the apprehensions of danger which the citizens of 
New Orleans had previously indulged. They eagerly 
hailed him as their deliverer and protector. Noencomiurti 
could be top exalted to express the feelings of gratitude 
which they cherished towards him. In the midst of d^m- 
gers and difficulties, he had perseveringly continued his 
defensive operations, until the result of the battle fully 
confirmed their efficiency. Obstacles that would have 
disheartened another commander, neither interfered with 
his plans, or daunted his spirit. Every thing was made 
to yield to the necessities of the crisis, and the bidding of 
his determined will. His influence was felt everywhere 
around and about him. What his feeble army lacked in 
numbers and in equipments, was more than made up, by 
the hioh-souled enthusiasm which he infused into their 
ranks. Treason shrunk abus,»^t^d from his presence, and 
cowardice itself, at his side. Lecame the most unflinching 
courage and the most devoted patriotism. The harsh and 
vigorous measures to which he was compelled to resort, 



DIFFICULTY WITH JUDGE HALL. 159 

Jed to frequent complaints ; but when the danger was 
averted, and the city saved from plunder and rapine, even 
his arbitrary exercise of power was justified and approved. 
All classes and conditions united in the expression of their 
sincere and heartfelt thankfulness. Demonstrations of 
public respect succeeded each other daily; the congra- 
tulations of his fellow-countrymen, whose property and 
whose lives he had defended, flowed in upon him without 
stint; and the general sentiment of approbation which 
soon reached his ears was no more flattering to his pride, 
than it was just to his abilities and his services. 

Although the defeat of the British on the 8th of Jan- 
uary completely frustrated their plans, and put an end to 
their contemplated march upon the city, Jackson deemed 
it best to continue the same watchful discipline and care 
which had been attended with such satisfactory results. 
Had his men been properly supplied with arms, he would 
have completed the brilliant defence of the Slh of January, 
by the capture of the whole British force, but, situated as 
he was, it would have been rash in the extreme to have 
commenced any offensive operations. He confined him- 
self, therefore, to perfecting his line of defences, and con- 
structing new ones at assailable points, in order that the 
success already obtained might not *be hazarded by re- 
missness or neglect. While actively engaged in the dis- 
charge of his duly, the traitors and spies who had pre- 
viously occasioned him so much trouble and vexation, were 
secretly at work in their efforts to counteract his plans. 
Having failed in one attempt to betray the country, they 
adopted a different mode of proceeding. Besides afford- 
ing inteUigpnce of his movements lo the enemy, they caused 
anonymous articles, calculated to excite mutiny among his 
troops, to be inserted in one of the newspapers published 
n the city of New Orleans. So bold an act of treason 
was not to be overlooked, and with his characteristic 
eneroy and decision of character, Jackson promptly de- 
manded of the publisher the name of the writer of the 
articles. The demand was com})lied with, and the traitor 
was discovered lo be one of the members of the legislature. 
An order was forthwith issued by the general for his im- 



160 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

mediate arrest. An application was made to Judge Hall 
for a writ of habeas corpus, which was granted. As has 
been heretofore mentioned, the judsre himself was at once 
arrested by command of Jackson, for interfering with his 
authority. At this time, the order proclaiming martial law 
had not been countermanded, in consequence of the proxi- 
mity of the British army, and if the general had allowed 
one act of opposition to his authority to pass unnoticed, 
others might have followed in its train, which would have 
produced ihe most serious consequences. 

The British forces retired to their shipping and took 
final leave of Louisiana, on the 18th of January, and early 
in the month of February the intelligence arrived, that a 
treaty of peace between Great Britain and the United 
States had been signed by the commissioners of the two 
governments, at Ghent, on the 24th of December previous. 
The cessation of hostilities was soon after officially an- 
nounced. The appearance of the order releasing the city 
from the restraints of martial law, was followed by a rule 
of court granted by Judge Hall, commanding General 
Jackson to appear and show cause why an attachment 
should not issue against him for contempt, in refusing to 
obey a writ, and imprisoning the organ of the law. He 
did not hesitate to appear and submit a full and able an- 
swer justifying his proceedings. After argument before 
the court, the rule was made absolute ; an attachment was 
sued out, and Jackson brought up to answer interrogatories. 
The proceedings were obviously unjust, but he preferred, 
like a good citizen, to submit quietly to the law. He therefore 
declined answering questions, and asked for the sentence, 
which the judge, who was exceedingly inimical towards 
him, then proceeded to pass. It was a fine of one thousand 
dollars. The spectators who crowded the hall evinced 
the strongest indififnation. On enteringr his carriao-e, it 
was seized by the people and drawn to the coffee-house 
where he was residing. When he reached his head quar- 
ters, he put the amount of the fine into the hands of one 
of his aids, and caused it to be discharged without delay. 
He had scarcely anticipated the intentions of the citizens, 
us the full sum was raised among them by contribution, 



FAREWELL ADDRESS TO HIS TROOPS. 161 

in a few moments. Jackson refused to accept the mo- 
ney, and al his r^^quest il was appropriated to a charitable 
msiitution. He enjoyed the consciousness that the powers 
which the exigency of the times forced him to assume, had 
Deen ext rcised exclusively for the public good, and were 
absolutely essential to the safety of the country. In addi- 
tion to this, he was gratefully remembered by the people 
for whom he had sacrificed his ease and comfort, and 
endured so many hardships. In Ib21, the corporation of 
New Orleans voted fifty thousand dollars for erecting a 
marble statue designed to commemorate his important 
military services; and the same body also gave one thou- 
sand dollars fr his portrait painted by Mr. Earle. At the 
session of the United States Congress in 15^44-5, complete 
though lardy justice was meted out to Jackson, by the pas- 
sage of a law in effect approving of his conduct, and mak- 
ing provision for the restitution of the fine, with interest. 
Notwithstanding the cessation of hostilities, General 
Jackson n tnained at New Orleans, with the troops under 
his command, until the month of March, at which time 
he was relieved by General Gaines. On taking leave of 
the brave volunteers who had cheerfully followed him 
through so many difficulties and dangers, previous to their 
final discharge, he issued the following address, thanking 
them for their fidelity to the country, and expressing his 
sincere wishes fur their future happiness and prosperity : 

" The major-general is at length enabled to perform the 
pleasing task of restoring to Tennessee, Kentucky, Louisi- 
ana, and the territory of the Mississippi, the brave troops 
who have acted such a distinguished part in the war which 
has just terminated. In restoring these brave men to their 
homes, much exertion is expected of, and great responsi- 
bility imposed on, the commanding officers of the different 
corps. It is required of Major-generals Carroll and Thomas, 
and Brigadier-general Coffee, to march their commands, 
without unnecessary delay, to their respective states. The 
troops from the Mississippi territory, and state of Louisi- 
ana, both militia and volunteers, will be immediately mus- 
tered out of service, paid, and discharged. 



162 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

"The major-general has the satisfaction of announcing 
the approbation of the President of the United States to ihe 
conduct of ihe troops under his command, expressed in 
flatt( ring terms, through the honorable the secretary of war 

*' In parUng with those brave men, whose destinies have 
been so long united with his own, and in whose labors 
and glories it is his happiness and his boast to have parti- 
cipated, the commanding general can neither suppress his 
feelings, nor give utterance to them as he ought. In what 
terms can he bestow suitable' praise on merit so extraor- 
dinary, so unparalleled ? Let him, in one burst of joy, 
gratitude, and exultation, exclaim — ' These are the saviors 
of their country — these the patriot soldiers, who triumphed 
over the invincibles of Wellington, and conquered the 
conquerors of Europe !' With what patience did you 
submit 10 privations — with what fortitude did you endure 
fijtigue — what valor did you display in the day of battle ! 
You have secured to America a proud name among tho 
nations ot the earth — a glory which will never perish. 

"Possessing those dispositions which equally adorn the 
citizen and the soldier, the expectations of your country 
will be met in peace, as her wishes have b;'en gratified in 
war. Go, thm, my brave companions, to your homes; to 
those t nder connections, and blissful scenes, which render 
life so dear — full of honor, and crowned with laurels which 
wiil never fade. When participating, in the bosoms of 
your families, the enjoyment of peaceful life, with what 
happiness will you not louk back to the toils you have 
borne — to the dangers you have encountered ? How will 
all your past exposures be convened into sources of inex 
pressible delight ! Who, inat never experienced your 
sufferings, will be able to appreciate your joys? The 
man who slumbered ingloriuusly at home, during your 
painful marches, your nights of watchfulness, and your 
days of toil, will envy you the happiness which these re- 
collections will afford— still more will he envy the gratitude 
of that country, which you have so eminently contributed 
to save. 

"Contmue, fellow-soldiers, on your passage to your se- 
veral destinations, to preserve that subordination, that 



RETURN HOME. 163 

dignified and manlj'- deportment, which have so ennobled 
your character. 

"While the commanding general is thus giving indulg- 
?nce to his feeiinos towards those bravo companions who 
iccompanied him through difficulties and danger, he can- 
not permit the names of Blount, and Shelby, and Holmes, 
'-0 pass unnoticed. With what generous ardor and pa- 
lriotis!n have these distinguished governors contributed 
all their exertions to provide the means of victor}'' ! The 
recollection of their exertions, and of the success which 
has resulted, will be to them a reward more grateful than 
•Any which the pomp of title or the splendor of wealth can 
bestow. 

" What happiness it is to the commanding general, that, 
while danger was before him, he was, on no occasion, 
compelled to use towards his companions in arms either 
severity or rebuke ! If, after the enemy had retired, im- 
proper passions began their empire in a few unworthy 
bosoms, and rendered a resort to energetic measures ne- 
cessary for their suppression, he has not confounded the 
innocent with the guilty — the seduced with the seducers. 
Towards you, fellow-soldiers, the most cheering recollec- 
tions exist ; blended, alas ! with regret, that disease and 
war should have ravished from us so many worthy com- 
panions. But the memory of the cause in which they 
perished, and of the virtues which animated them while 
living, must occupy the place where sorrow would claim 
to dwell. 

" Farewell, fellow-soldiers. The expression of your ge- 
neral's thanks is feeble, but the gratitude of a country of 
freemen is yours — yours the applause of an admiring 
world. "Andrew Jackson, 

" Major-general commanding. ^^ 

On his route to Nashville, General Jacks-^n saw, on 
every side, the certain evidences of exultation and delight 
The reputation he had acquired during his campaigns in 
the Creek country, had extended from one section of the 
union to the other. All were familiar with the prompt- 
ness and decision, the active intrepidity, and unyielding 



164 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

firmness, he had evinced in his different eno^ajrements 
and marches through the Indian territory of the Hickory 
Ground, and in allusion to which the appellation of ''Old 
Hickory" had been bestowed upon him ; and the brilliant 
victory won at New Orleans threw the country into a 
complete fever of joy. 

For two years afterwards, General Jackson, though still 
retainmg his rank in the army, remained at home engaged 
in cultivating his farm, and busily occupied with rural 
pleasures and labors. In the winter of i?Sl7, the hostile 
Cief ks, or Seminoles, who had been driven into Florida, 
in connection with runaway negroes from the adjoining 
states, began to execute schemes of robbery and vengeance 
against the Americans living near the frontiers. Repre- 
sentations in regard to these outrages had been made to the 
American government, and General Gaines, the acting 
connnander of the southern district, was ordered, in the 
sununer of lb 17, to occupy a position near the borders, 
with a considerable force, for the protection of the citizens. 
He was at Erst directed to keep within the territorial 
limits of the United States, and not to cross the Florida 
line ; but to demand of the Indians the perpetrators of the 
crimes which had been committed, avoiding, if possible, 
a general rupture with the deluded savages. General 
Gaines made the demand, in conforiiiity with his orders. 
The savagt s, how^ever, being deceived by the representa- 
tions of Certain foreign incendiaries and traders, who 
taught them to believe that they would receive assistance 
and encouragement from the British, not only refused to 
give up the murderers, but repeated their barbarities when- 
ever an opportunity offered. Whilst matters remained in 
this condition, the intel:igence w^as received that Lieuten- 
ant Scoit, one of General Gaines' officers, with forty -sevea 
persons, men, women and children, had been surprised by 
an ambuscade of Indians, when descending the Appalachi- 
cola river in a boat, about two miles below the junction of 
the Flint and Chattahoochie, and that the whole detach- 
ment had been killed or taken prisoners, except six men, 
who had made their escape. Those who were taken 
alive were wantonly butchered by the ferocious savages; 



ORDERED TO THE SOUTH. 165 

the little children were seized, and their brains dashed out 
against the side of the boat ; and all the helpless females, 
With one exception, were murdered. 

On the receipt of this intelligence, the government saw 
the necessity of adopting energetic measures. Orders 
Were immediately issued to General Jackson to repair to 
Fort Scott and take command of the forces in that quarter, 
wiih autliority, in case he should deem it necessary, to 
call upon the Executives of the adjoining states for addi- 
tional iroops. He was also authorized to cross the bound- 
ary Ime of Florida, which was still a Spanish territory, if 
necessary in the execution of his orders. The orders 
which had been issued to General Gaines, and to which 
he was referred for his own guidance, required him to 
adopt •' measures necessary to terminate a conflict which 
had been avoided from considerations of humanity, but 
which had now become indispensable, from the settled 
hostiliiy of the savage enemy." The Secretary of War 
also Said, in a letter written to General Gaines in the 
month of January, lbl«: "The honor of the United 
Slates requires that the war with the Seminoles should 
be terminated speedily, and with exemplary punishment 
for hostilities so unprovoked." 

Having collected the Tennessee volunteers, with that 
zeal and promptness which ever marked his career, Ge- 
neral Jackson repaired to the post assigned him, and as- 
sumed the command. The necessity of crossing the line 
into Florida was no longer a subject of doubt. A large 
body of Indians and negroes had made that territory their 
refuge, and the Spanish authorities were either loo weak or 
too inditferent to restrain them. In order to comply with 
the orders issued to him, Jackson penetrated at once into 
the Seminole towns, reducing them to ashes, and driving 
the enemy before him. In the council-house of the Mic- 
kasukians, more than fifty fresh scalps, and in an adjacent 
house, upwards of three hundred scalps, of all ages and 
sexes, were found ; and in the centre of the public square 
a red pole was erected, crowned with scalps, known by 
the hair to have belonged to the companions of Lieutenant 
Scott. To inflict merited punishment on the barbarians, 

8 



16(3 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

and to prevent a repetition of the massacres, by bringing 
the war to a speedy and successful termination, he pur 
sued his wa}^ to St. Marks. He there found, in con 
formity with previous information, that the Indians and 
neoroes had demanded the surrender of the post to them ; 
and that the Spanish garrison, according to the command 
ant's own acknowledgment, was too weak to support it 
He ascertained also that the enemy had been supphed with 
the means of carrying on the war, from the commandant 
of the post; that foreign incendiaries, who instigated the 
savages to cruelty, had [ree comnmnication with the fort : 
and that councils of war were permitted by the com- 
mandant to be held by the chiefs and warriors, within his 
own quarters. The Spanish store-houses were appro- 
priated to the use of the hostile ])arty, and actuilly filled 
with goods belonging to them, though property known to 
have been plundered from American citizens was pur- 
chased from them by the commandant, while he professed 
friendship to the United States. 

General Jackson, therefore, did not hesitate to demand 
of the officer commanding at St. Marks, the surrender of 
that post, that it might be garrisoned by an American 
force, and, when the Spaniard hesitated, he entered the 
fort by force, though without bloodshed ; the enemy hav- 
ing fled, and the garrison being too weak .to offer any se- 
rious opposition. From this place he marched upon Su- 
wanee, seized the stores of the enemy and burnt their vil- 
lages. 

A variety of circumstances now convinced General Jack- 
son, that the savages had commenced the- war and persist- 
ed in their barbarity. He therefore arrested at St. rvlarks 
several of the British incendiaries who had excited them 
to hostilities. One Alexander Arbuthnol, an Indian trader 
was taken at St. Marks, where he had been living as ai 
inmate in the family of the commandant. He was tried 
by a court of inquiry, of thirt.-en respectable officers, and 
sentenced to be hung, which sentence was immediately 
carried into execution. Robert Ambrister, formerly a iicu- 
tenant in the British marine corps, was also tried ; and it 
having been proved that he had not only encouraged and 



SEMINOLE CAMPAIGN. 167 

assisted the hostile savages, but had also led them in their 
mnraudinjr excursion?, he was sentenced by the court to 
receive fifty stripes and to be confined, with a ball and 
chain, at hard labor, for twelve calendar months. General 
Jackson, however, disapproved of this sentence, which he 
did not think sufficiently severe; and the case being 
reconsidered, Ambrister was sentenced to be shot, which 
S-'ntence was forthwith executed. 

It was now supposed by the commanding general that 
the war was at an end. St. Marks was garrisoned by an 
American force ; the Indian towns of Mickasuky and 
Suuanee were destroyed ; two prominent chiefs who had 
been the prime movers and leaders of the savages, had 
been killed ; and the two foreiofn instig-ators taken and exe- 
culed. The American commander, therefore, ordered the 
Georgia militia, who had joined him, to be discharged, and 
was about to return himself to Tennessee. While mak- 
ing his preparations, he was informed that the Indians 
were admitted freely by the governor at Pensacola ; that 
they were collecting in large numbers, five hundred being 
in Pensacola on the 15th of April, many of whom were 
known to be hostile, and had just escaped from the pursuit 
of his troops; that the enemy were furnished with am- 
munition and supplies, and received intelligence of the 
movements of his forces, from that place ; and that a num- 
ber of them had saUied out and murdered eighteen Ame- 
rican citizens, who had settled u{)on the Alabama, and 
were immediately received by the governor, and furnished 
with means of transportation across the lake, that they 
might escape pursuit. 

These facts being ascertained by General Jackson, from 
reliable authority, he forthwith took up his line of march 
towards Pensacola, at the head of a detachment of about 
twelve hundred men, for the purpose of counteracting the 
views of the enemy. On the 18th of May, he crossed 
the Appalachicolaat the Ocheese village, with the intention 
of scourino- the country west of that river, and on the 23d 
of the month, he received a communication from the go- 
vernor of West Florida, protestinsr against his entrance 
into that province, commanding him to retire from it, and 



168 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

declaring that he would repel force by force if he did not 
obey. This communication, together with other indica- 
tions of the governor's hostility, Were followed by prompt 
action on the part of the American general. He marched 
direct to Pensacola, and took possession of that place the 
following day. The governor himself fled to Fort Carlos 
de Barrancas, which post also surrendered, after a feeble 
resistance, on the 28th of May. This bold and energeti 
mode of carrying on the war soon put an end to the de 
predalions of the Indians and negroes. Parlies of them 
were scattered here and there through the countr3% and, to 
prevent them from attacking the frontier settlements, 
two of the volunteer companies were ordered to scour the 
country between the Mobile and the Appalachicola. Thus 
ended the Seminole campaign, which, though not distin- 
guished by any heavy battles, was, nevertheless, a most 
arduous and harassing kind of warfare. 

General Jackson returned to the Hermitage, in June, 
1818. His promptness and decision in checking the in- 
cursions of the savages, and putting an end to their de- 
predations, elicited new acknowledgments and new evi- 
dences of respect and admiration. The general govern- 
ment deemed it expedient ultimately to restore to Spain 
the posts of St. Marks and Pensacola; but the conduct of 
Jackson was approved, and President Monroe expressed 
the opinion in his annual messag,% at the commencement 
of the session of Congress in 1^18, that the "misconduct 
of the Spanish officers," in afTorcung countenance and pro- 
tection to the savages, fully justified the course which 
had been pursued. The proceedings of the general in 
regard to Arbuthnot and Ambrister, were, in Hke manner, 
unequivocally confirmed. The British government even, 
though always prompt in protecting her citizens, could not 
but acknowledge the justice of their condemnation. 

General Jackson returned home in the summer of 1818, 
and in the course of the following winter he visited Wash- 
ington. The incidents of the Seminole campaign were then 
under consideration in Congress, and a report was made by 
acommitteeof the Senate extremely hostile to his character. 
It had not the concurrence of the ablest members of the 



APPOINTED GOVERNOR OF FLORIDA. 169 

committee, and on the nppearance of an article in the Na- 
tional Intelligencer, written by General Jackson himself, 
triumphantly defending his conductf^U further action upon 
it was suspended. An attempt was also made in the 
House of Representatives, to pass a vote of censure, but it 
was rejected by a decisive majority. While at the east, 
the general visited Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New York, 
in each of which he was welcomed with distinguished 
honors. He received the freedom of the city of New York 
on the 19th of February, in a gold box ; and there, as well 
as in Baltimore, the municipal council requested and ob- 
tained his portrait, to be placed in their hall. 

On the 22d of February, 1819, a treaty was signed be- 
tween Spain and the United States, by which the Floridas 
were ceded to the latter power. Upon the final ratification 
of the treaty, Congress passed a law, empowering the pre- 
sident to vest in such person or persons as he might select, 
all the military, civil, and judicial authority exercised by 
the officers of the Spanish government. Under this law, 
the president selected General Jackson to act as commis- 
sioner for receiving the provinces, and to assume the go- 
vernment of them. The intimate acquaintance of Jackson 
with the country, and the energy and decision of his cha- 
racter, specially recommended him for this position. The 
territory was completely overrun with smugglers, negro- 
stealers, and desperadoes of every description ; and it re- 
quired the exercise of no httle firmness and rigor to restore 
quiet and good order. The general reluctantly accepted 
the office, and on the 1st of July, 1S21, he issued his pro- 
clamation at Pensacola, announcing that he had taken 
possession of the territory in the name of the United States, 
and that all citizens were required to yield obedience to 
her authority. Prompt measures were adopted for enforc- 
ing the laws, and securing the due administration of justice. 
Courts were immediately organized, and a system of inter- 
nal police instituted. 

By the treaty with Spain it was expressly stipulated, 
that all the archives and documents relating to the pro- 
perty and sovereignty of the provinces should be delivered 
up to the American authorities. A case soon occurred un 



170 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

der this clause of the treaty, which called onl all GenerC 
Jackson's well-known firmness and promptitude. On the 
2'2d of August, he recei*rcd a petition from certain indivi- 
duals, setting forth that certain papers of great importance 
to the rights of several orphan females, whose inheritance 
was under litigation, had been ftdoniously retained by the 
Spanish Ex-governor, Caliava, and that they were in the 
hands of a man named Sousa. Jackson forthwith ordered 
three otlicers to wait upon Sousa, and demand the docu- 
ments. He exhibited them to the officers, but refused to 
give them up, as they had been intrusted to him by Cal- 
iava. On b>ing summoned to appear before Jackson with 
the papers, Sousa returned for answer that they had been 
sent to the house of the Ex-trovernor. Two officers were 
directed to repair thiiher and demand them ; and if Cal- 
iava refused to deliver them up, to arrest both him and his 
steward, who had received them, and bring them before 
the governor. After considerable parleying, Caliava 
finaUy refused, in the most positive terms, to surrender the 
documents, whereupon he was conducted, under a guard, 
to the office of Jackson. Arrived there, he persisted in 
his refusal, and commenced protestino- against the course 
pursued by the general, who instantly committed him to 
prison. 

The box containing the papers was obtained the next 
morning, and opened by officers specially commissioned 
for that purpose. The papers sought for were found, to- 
gether with decrees which Caliava had made, in favor of 
the heirs, but corruptly suppressed. The object of his 
imprisonment having been gained, the Ex-governor was 
released from custody. Previous to his discharge, a writ 
oi habeas C07'pus was issued to extricate him frt-m his con- 
finement, by Mr. Fromentin, who had been appointed 
judge by the United Str.tes government, with a jurisdic 
tion expressly limited -J cases arising under the revenue 
laws, and the acts of Congress prohibiting the introduc- 
tion of slaves. At this time, the general judiciary act had 
not been extended to Florida, and General Jackson pos- 
sessed, in his own person, by the terms of the law under 



HIS RESIGNATION. 171 

Which he was appointed, the supreme judicial power uni- 
formly exercised by the Spanish governors, captains-gene- 
ral, and intendants. Ele, of coui'se, refused to obey the 
writ, and reprimanded IMr. Fromentin, in severe terms, for 
his interference. Cnllava afterwards attempted to excite 
a prejudice against General Jackson, by an exposition 
which was published in some of the American papers; 
b'Jt the statements made by him were shown to be so 
grossly false, that he obtained little sympathy. The pro- 
ceedings of Jackson underwent the rigid scrutiny of a 
committee of the House of Representatives, and the result 
was his complete justification. Although the measures 
he adopted appeared harsh, the American people were 
ready to approve his conduct, when it was ascertained 
that it originated in a d.sire to carry out his own noble 
sentiment, that " the great can protect themselves, but 
the poor and humble require the arm and shield of the 
law." 

Several Spanish ofHcers who had remained with Cal- 
lava, published an article in a Pensacola paper, after his 
discharge, in which they accused the general of violence 
and tyranny. It was stipulated in the treaty that all Spa- 
nish officers should be withdrawn from the territories, with- 
in six months after its ratification. More than this term 
had elapsed. .Tackson issued a proclamation without de- 
lay, commanding them, as trespassers and disturbers of the 
public peace, to depart in the course of a week. They 
wisely obeyed the order and left the territory. About 
the same time, the Ex-governor of East Florida attempted 
to retain a nuniber of important documents which should 
have been delivered up. When the fact came to his 
knowledge, the general tramsmitted his orders to take them 
by force, if they were withheld. The order was carried 
into effect; the ex-governor protested against the act, but 
received little sympathy or encouragement. 

The ill health of General Jackson compelled him to 
resign his position in a few months. On the 7th of Oc- 
tober, he delegated his power to his secretaries, and re- 
turned to Nashville. In his valedictory address to the 



172 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

citizen? of Florida, he informed them that he had com- 
pleted 'he temporary organization of the two provinces, 
and justified and defended the acts of his administration. 
It was with great regret that the people of the territory 
saw him depart, and the spontaneous manifestations of 
esteem and gratitude which were exhibited towards him, 
were ><rth creditable to him and. to those whom he had 
so fait>'\uUy served. 



RESIGNS HIS COMMISSION. 173 



CHAPTER XL 

1821. Jackson resigns his office in the army — Testimonials of public 
respect — A candidate for the Presidency — Deieated in the House 
of Representatives — Election of Mr. Adams — Course of Jackson's 
friends — His renomination — Warmth of the contest — Elected pre- 
sident — Death oi his wife — Kindness to her relatives — His first mes- 
sage — Veto of the Maysville road bill — Dissolution of the cabinet — 
Opposition to the I'niied States Bank — Veto message — Re-elected 
president — Difficulty with the nullifiers — Assaulted by Lieutenant 
Randolph — Reuioval of the deposits — Public excitement — Con- 
troversy with France — Retirement to private life. 1837. 

The hardships and privations which General Jackson 
had experienced in his different campaigns against the 
Indians, so far undermined his health, that he was com- 
pelled to resion his commission in the army of the United 
States, and retire to private hfe. But the gratitude of the 
nation followed him in his retirement, and only wailed the 
opportunity to confer^upon him the high reward which 
was due to his lonsr and faithful services. The citizens 
of Tennessee were not only proud of the distinguished 
reputation which reflected so much honor on his adopted 
state, but they wer€ eager to evince to the world the 
favorable estimation in which they regarded him. On 
the 4th day of July, 1^22, the governor of the state, by 
order of the legislature, presented him with a sword, 
as a testimonial '• of the high respect entertained for his 
public services ;" and on the 2Cth of August following, 
the same body recommended him to the union for the 
office of president. This recommendation was repeated 
by the legislature of Alabama, and various meetings of 
private citizens in different sections of the country. In 
1S23, the office of Minister Plenipotentiary to the Mexican 
government was tendered to him by President iVIonroe ; 

8* 



174 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

but he declined its acceptance. He was again elected 
to the Senate of the United States, in the autun:in of that 
year, and remained in the office until 1825. 

The canvass previous to the presidential election in 
1824 commenced as early as the year 1822. A majority 
of the republican party, to which Jackson belonged, in the 
northern and middle states, were in favor of the nomina- 
tion of John Gluincy Adams, then secretary of state. The 
same party at the south and west, were divided between 
General Jackson, William H. Crawford, of Georgia, Henry 
Clay, of Kentucky, and John C. Calhoun, of South Caro- 
lina. During the congressional sessions in 1823 and lh24, 
the presidential question was constantly in agitation. The 
friends of Mr. Crawford were probably the most numerous 
in the two houses, but more than two-thirds of the mem- 
bers were in favor of some other candidate. It had usually 
been the custom to make the nominations in advance of 
the election, at a congressional caucus, and an effort was 
made at the session of 1824, to bring forward the name 
of Mr. Crawford in that way. A caucus was accordingly 
held, but it was not attended by a majority of the repub- 
lican members. The consequence was, that each section 
of the country was left at liberty to support whichever of 
the candidates was preferred. The election was con- 
ducted with considerable spirit and animation, and the 
result was, that no candidate received a majority of the 
electoral votes. On counting the official returns, it ap- 
peared that Andrew Jackson had received ninety-nine 
votes; John Gluincy Adams, eighty-four; William H. 
Crawford, forty-one, and Henry Clay, thirty-seven. 

The constitution of the United States provides that 
where no candidate for the presidency receives a majority 
of the electoral votes, the election shall be made by the 
House of Representatives, from the three highest on the 
list ; and that the members shall vote by states ; each 
state being entitled to but one vote. No choice havino- 
been made by the people at the election in lJ!^2i, the 
matter was brought forward at the ensuing session of 
Congress, and John Gluincy Adams vvas elected president, 
he having received the votes of thirteen states. 



CHOSEN PRESIDENT. 175 

Soon after the result of this election, Mr. Crawford 
withdrew from public hfe, in consequence of a severe 
bodily affliction. Mr. Clay was appointed Secretary of 
State under Mr. Adams, and the friends of Jackson and 
Crawford subsequently united in opposition to the then 
administration. The manner in which Jackson had been 
defeated, notwithstanding his having received the greatest 
number of votes, encouraged his friends and supporters, 
who were quite numerous, and devotedly attached to him, 
to make renewed efforts for the next election. An attempt 
was made to bring forward De Witt Chnton of the state of 
New York, as a candidate ; but he expressly refused to 
allow his name to be used in opposition to General Jack- 
son. The friends of Mr. Adams, however, took prompt 
measures to procure his re-election. In September, 1827, 
the general republican committee of the city of New York, 
most of whom had previously been Crawford men, pre- 
sented Jackson as their candidate for the presidency. At 
the November election in that year, a large majority of 
the electors of the state expressed their approbation of 
the movement, by the choice of a majority of members 
of the legislature friendly to his nomination. This satis- 
factory evidence of the feelings of the voters in so large 
and powerful a state, put an end to the idea of selecting 
any other candidate. His nomination was welcomed, with 
a feeling akin to enthusiasm, from one end of the union to 
the other, and the election, which took place in 1828, was 
one of the most animated and exciting which had been 
witnessed for several years. 

During the canvass, the partizans on both sides became 
quite exasperated, and much was said and written con- 
cerning the candidates, which might have been wisely 
mitted. Among other things, the private character and 
ublic acts of General Jackson were subjected to a severe 
and rigid scrutiny. The circumstances attending his mar- 
riage, his conduct during the campaign against the Creeks, 
the attack on Pensacola, the arrest of Judge Hall, and the 
trial and merited punishment of Arbuihnot and Ambrister, 
were commented on in the harshest terms, and in many 
mstances grossly misrepresented. These uncalled for at- 



176 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

tacks produced no effect on the public mind, except that 
of enlisting a warmer feeling of sympathy in his behalf, 
and animating his friends to renewed exertion. The 
result of the election was, that General Jackson received 
one hundred and seventy-eight of the electoral votes, and 
Mr. Adams eighty-three. 

Not long after the result of the election was made 
known. General Jackson experienced a most afflicting 
bereavement, in the death of his amiable wife. To him 
the loss was irreparable. For many anxious years, when 
the duties of his position had called him from her side, by 
the lonely watch-fire, in the solitude of the forest, on the 
rarnparts ot his intrenchments at New Orleans, amid the 
leafy hammocks and everglades of the far south, had he 
looked forward to his retirement from his public duties, 
comforted by the cherished hope that the evening of his 
days would be gilded with the halo of that deep and 
earnest affection which had ever been the light and the 
.joy of the Hermitage. It was hard for him to part with 
one to whom he was so devotedly attached, just as he was 
entering upon the enjoyment of the crowning reward of a 
brilliant and prosperous career. To the day of his death 
he continued to cherish her memory with a sincere and 
heart-felt reverence. Having no descendants of his own, 
he proved himself, if that were possible, even more than 
a father, to the younger branches of her family. He 
adopted them as his own, and always regarded them with 
marked favor and kindness. 

General Jackson entered upon the duties of the chief 
magistracy of the Union, on the 4th day of March, 182J. 
In his inaugural address, he set forth, in general terms, 
his views in regard to the administration of the govern- 
ment, and expressed the diffidence he felt on assuming 
the high and responsible station to which he had been ele- 
vated. His first annual message to the two Houses of 
Congress, dehvered on the 8th day of December, 1829, 
contained a more full exposition of his opinions in regard 
to questions of public policy. He averr<,>d his determina- 
tion to brmg the matters in dispute with Great Britain 
and France, growing out of the north-eastern boundary 



HIS FIRST MESSAGE. 177 

question and the claims of American citizens for depreda- 
tions committed on their property, to a speedy settlement. 
He recommended the amendment of the constitution, so 
as to enable the electors of the country to vote directly for 
president and vice-president, the modification of the tariff, 
the apportionment of the surplus revenue among the 
several states, provided it was " warranted by the consti- 
tution," and the removal of the Indian tribes beyond the 
Mississippi. He also expressed his doubts as to the pro- 
priety of renewing the charter of the United States Bank, 
and his belief that if a similar institution was thought ne- 
cessary^ for the purposes of the government, it should be 
exclusively a national one, founded upon the pubhc reve- 
nues and credit. In the month of May, 1880, a bill passed 
the two Houses of Congress, proposing to authorize " a 
subscription of stock in the Maysville, Washington, Paris, 
and Lexington Turnpike Road Company." On the 27th 
of the month, the president returned the bill with his 
objections to its passage. Although friendly to works of 
internal improvement, he stated that he was opposed to the 
construction of any work involving a claim of jurisdiction 
to the territory necessary to be occupied for its preserva- 
tion and use, paramount to the sovereignty of the state ; 
and to the appropriation of money " from the national trea- 
sury, in aid of such works when undertaken by state au- 
thority, surrendering the claim of jurisdiction." Believing 
that the bill under consideration was liable to both objec- 
tions, he withheld his official sanction. 

The annual message of the president in December, 1830, 
contained no new recommendations of special importance. 
His views in regard to the amendment of the constitution, 
the distribution of the surplus revenue, and the recharter 
of the United States Bank, were again presented to the 
consideration of Congress. During the session, a resolu- 
tion was presented by Colonel Benton in the Senate, de- 
claring that the charter of the bank ought not to be renewed, 
which was lost by a vote of twenty to twenty-three. 

At the time of General Jackson's election in 1828, it 
was thought that he might not be a candidate for re-elec- 
tion. Consequently, the question as to the selection of his 



178 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

successor early attracted the attention of the politicians at 
the seat of government. In the winter of 1830, consider- 
able ill feeling was produced in his cabinet, particularly 
on the part of the friends of the vice-president, Mr. Cal- 
houn, growing out of what was said to be the especial favor 
shown to Mr. Van Buren, secretary of state. An un- 
fortunate difficulty in regard to the family relations of 
several members of the cabinet, increased this ill-feeling to 
such an extent, that Mr. Van Buren, and Mr. Eaton, the 
secretary of war, tendered their resignations in April, 1831. 
On accepting the resignations, General Jackson signified 
to their associates his desire to reconstruct his cabinet, 
whereupon the other members resigned, and a new cabinet 
was formed which proved to be much more harmonious in 
its operations. It was always a prominent wish with 
General Jackson, to secure entire unanimity among his 
constitutional advisers; and this did not proceed from any 
desire to exact a slavish subserviency to his views ; but it 
was the natural consequence of his remarkable energy and 
independence of character. Prepared at all times to as- 
sume every responsibility connected with his administra- 
tion of the executive authority, he desired his cabinet to 
be a complete unit, and that it should adopt the plans and 
carry out the views approved by him whom the law and 
the constitution had recognised as its head. 

The president announced to Congress, at the session 
commencing in December, 1831, the fact that a treaty 
had been signed with France providing for the payment 
of the claims for illegal seizures and confiscations during 
the war with the allied powers. This had long been a 
vexed question of difference between the two governments, 
and its adjustment was ardenll}'' desired on all hands. On 
the 4th day of July, 1832, the bill to recharter the United 
States Bank, which had been passed by the two Houses 
of Congress, was presented to General Jackson. His v^iews 
in regard to that institution were well known. Previous 
to his election to the presidency, he had, on several occa- 
sions, avowed his hostility to a continuance of the charter. 
On the lOih day of July, he returned the bill to the Senate, 
in which it originated, accompanied with his reasons for 



VETO OF THE UNITED STATES BANK. 179 

declining to give the measure his approbation.* This 
was a bold and decided step on the part of the president. 
A-llhough many of his friends had long known what would 
be his decision, quite a number of them, and those among 
the most influential, were friendly to the bill, and indulged 
the hope thai it would finally receive his sanction. When 
it became known that the veto-message was about to be 
sent in, he was beset with importunities to reconsider his 
determination. But the rock of Gibraltar could not have 
been more immovable. His opinions could not be changed, 
and the line of conduct he had -marked out was fixed and 
unalterable. 

Whatever may be the views entertained in regard to the 
positions laid down in the veto-message of General Jack- 
son, no one can avoid admiring the unshrinking firmness 
and high moral courage displayed in his course on this 
question. The bank wielded an immense power. All 
classes, trades, and conditions, were more or less connected 
with its transactions. Its agents were scattered over the 
country, from one extremity to the other; and, as the se- 
quel proved, those who controlled its affliirs were not un- 
willing to enter into the arena of political strife, for the 
purpose of perpetuating its existence. General Jackson 
was renominated for the presidency, in 1S32, in connection 
with Martin Van Buren, of New York, as the candidate 
for vice-president. The incidents of this important elec- 
tion are not yet forgotten. The sudden contractions and 
expansions of the currency produced by the bank were 
severely felt. The moneyed interests of the country were 
temporarily deranged. The storm was a severe one. No 
public man of his day but Andrew Jackson, possessed the 
fearlessness requisite to encounter it. No man save him- 
self had that deep and abiding hold on the sympathies and 
affections of the American people, without which he wouU 
inevitably have been crushed. Nothing but his command- 
ing influence and wide-spread popularity, connected with 
the unflinching resoluteness of his character, enablea him, 
like the proud oak, to set the whirlwind at defiances. 

* See page 241. 



180 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

Henry Olay was selected as the candidate of the oppo- 
nents of General Jackson's administration. The friends 
of Mr. Calhoun, in South Carolina, where the tariff ques- 
tion had already produced a most bitter feehng of hostility 
to the general government, remained almost entirely aloof 
from the contest. The anti-masonic party in the northern 
states, which had recently been formed, supported Wilham 
Wirt of Maryland. A great deal of vindictiveness and 
animosity was engendered during the canvass, and much 
of the hostility evinced towards General Jackson during 
the remainder of his admkiistraiion, may be traced to the 
veto and his subsequent re-election. The returns from the 
electoral colleges exhibited the following result: Andrew 
Jackson received two hundred and nineteen voles, and 
Henry Clay forty-nine; John Floyd received the eleven 
electoral votes of South Carolina; and seven were given 
for William Wirt in Vermont. The re-election of General 
Jackson, by so great a majority, in despite of the opposition 
arrayed against him, showed conclusively the extraordi- 
nary extent of his popularity and influence. 

During the summer and fall of 183"J!, the state of South 
Carolina was agitated with the throes of an incipient re- 
volution. It was claimed by Mr. Calhoun and his friends, 
who were known in the political parlance of the day, as 
nullifiers, that the operation of the revenue laws was so 
exceedingly unfair and unjust, that it released that state 
from all its obligations under the compact formed between 
the several members of the union. Arms were procured, 
and men organized into companies and regiments, under 
the orders of the state government, in order to resist the 
execution oT the laws if an attempt were made to enforce 
them within her boundaries. Such proceedings could not 
be suffered to pass unnoticed. President Jackson im- 
mediately caused the fortifications of the United States in 
that quarter to be amply provided and garrisoned, and the 
attention of Congress was called to the subject in his an- 
nual message. Soon after the message was delivered, 
the information was received that a convention held in 
the state of South Carolina, had passed an ordinance de- 
claring the several acts of Congress to which objections 



ATTACK OF LIEUTENANT RANDOLPH. 181 

tiad been raised, to be unauthorized by the constitution 
and therefore null and void. The president forthwith 
issued his celebrated proclamation, which is deservedly 
regarded as one of the ablest state papers that ever came 
from his pen.* It is remarkable alike for the nervous 
eloquence of its style, and the glowing and earnest pa- 
triotism which breathes forth in every line. On the 16th 
of January, 1833, the proceedings of the nullifiers were 
made the subject of a special communication to Congress. 
This exciting controv^ersy was terminated, after consider- 
able difficulty, by the passage* of the Compromise Act, 
which contemplated an entire change in the tariff system 
of the country. 

In the spring of 1833, a personal attack \vas made upon 
General Jackson, which shows how little age had dimmed 
the fire and intrepidity of his youth. On the 6th of May, 
he left Washington, in company with the members of his 
cabinet, and his private secretary, in compliance with the 
invitation of the "Monumental Committee" at Fredericks- 
burg, to lay the corner-stone of the pillar, to be erected in 
honor of the mother of Washington. "The day," says 
the correspondent of a public paper, "was mild, and the 
air soft and refreshing. After the company had assembled 
on board, they paid their respects to the Executive, which 
that venerable patriot received with the ease and grace of 
the most finished gentleman of the old school. They then 
separated ; some of the party went upon the upper deck, 
to admire the picturesque and beautiful scenery of the 
surrounding country, whence, from the north round to the 
south, lay a line of high grounds, forming within their 
interior an extensive amphitheatre. On the south, was the 
broad and peaceful Potomac, stretching as far as the eye 
could reach. On the eastern branch of the river was to 
be seen the navy yard, and several of the public armed 
vessels lying in the stream, with our flag floating on the 
breeze ; and on the western branch, we had a distant but 
beautiful view of Georgetown, as it slopes from the high 
grounds to the river: and between that and the navy 

* See page 263. 



182 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

yard, was to be seen the citj^ of Washington, whence we 
had just takt n our departure; and from our situation we 
had, at one glance, a view of the bridge crossing the river, 
which exceeds a mile in extent, the chief magistrate's 
house, and the capitol, with its splendid dome, rearing its 
head over every other object. Among those who went 
upon the upper deck were the heads of departments. A 
oToup of ladies, with their attendants, were seated in the 
aftir part of the boat ; and an excellent band of music was 
playing several national airs as the steamer glided on her 
way, and shortly arrived a^the city of Alexandria. Gene- 
ralJackson had, just previous to the boat's reaching the 
wharf, retired to the cabin, and had taken his seat at a long 
table, which had been set preparatory for dinner. He 
was seated on the west side, and next to the berths, there 
being barely room enough left between the berths and 
table for a person to pass, by moving sidevvise. Upon 
his left sat Mrs. Thruston, the wife of Judge Thruston, 
of Washington; and on the opposite side of the table sat 
Major Donelson, the general's private secretary ; Mr. Pot- 
ter, a clerk in one of the departments at Washington ; and 
Captain Broome, of the marine corps. The president was 
reading a newspaper. While in this situation, (there 
being no other person in the cabin or near him,) a large 
number of citizens came on board, as it was supposed to 
pay their respects to him. Among the number was Ran- 
dolph, late a lieutenant in the navy. He made his way 
into the cabin, and afier speaking to Captain Broome, who 
had long been acquainted with him, he immediately ad- 
vanced between the table and the berths towards the pre- 
sident, as if to address him. The president did not know 
him, and it seems that Captain Broome did not mention 
his name, because, he said, he believed that the object of 
his visit was to present a petition praying to be restored 
to the navy again ; siill, as the captain did not know that 
that was the object of his visit, and fearing, as he said, 
that he mioht intend to commit some act of violence, he 
stepped quickly to the same side of the table, and ad- 
vanced up to and near Randolph, who had by this time 
come so near General Jackson as to be observed by him, 



ATTACK OF LIEUTENANT RANDOLPH. 183 

who, supposing it was some person about to salute him, 
said that he was afflicted with a severe j)ain in his side, 
and begged lo be excused for not rising; and seeing that 
Randolph had some difficuhy in puJhng off' his glove, he 
stretched out his hand towards hitn, sa3'ing, at the same 
time, "Never mind your glove, sir." Uj)on this, Ran- 
doljdi thrust one hand violently into the president's face ; 
but before he could make use of the other, or repeat his 
blow, Captain Broome seized and drew him off towards 
the door. A part of the table was broken down in the 
scuffle. Mr. Potter thrust his Ombrella at Randolph across 
the table, at the moment Caj)tain Broome seized him ; 
whereupon, Randolph's friends clenched him, hurried him 
out of tlie cabin, and off from the boat, 'eaving his hat be- 
hind. This was done so quickly that the few persons 
who were near the president were not aware of it, as they 
had all turned round after pushing Randolph away, to 
inquire whether or not the chief magistrate was much 
hurt. He was so confined behind the table, that he could 
not rise with ease, nor could he seize his cane in time to 
defend himself. The news of this outrage was soon cir- 
culated around the boat, and at first it seemed so incredible 
that no one could be found to believe it; all, however, im- 
mediately repaired to the cabin, and heard the president 
relate the story himself. 

'•Had I been apprized," said he, " that Randolph stood 
before me, I should have been prepared for him, and 1 
could have defended myself. No villain," said he, " has 
ever escaped me before ; and he would not, had it not 
been for my confined situation." 

Some blood was seen on his face, and he was asked 
whether he had been much injured. 

'• No," said he, " I am not much hurt ; but in en- 
eavoring to rise, I have wounded my side, which now 
pains me more than it did." 

About this time, one of the citizens of Alexandria, who 
had heard of the outrage, addressed the general, and said: 
" Sir, if you will pardon me, in case I am tried and con- 
victc-d, 1 Will kill Randolph for this insult to you, in fifteen 
mmutes !" 

"No sir," said the president, "I cannot do th'.t t t 



184 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

want no man to stand between me and my assailants, and 
none to take revenge on my account. Had I been pre- 
pared for this cowardly villahi's approach, I can assure 
you all, that he would never have the temerity to mider- 
take such a thing again." 

General Jackson had for some time been firmly im- 
pressed with the belief that the public deposits with the 
United Slates Bank were far from being safe, and in the 
summer of 18:^3 he decided to cause them to be removed. 
At tne close of the previous session of Congress, a resolu- 
tion was adopted in the House of Representatives, declar- 
ing that they might be safely continued with the bank ; 
but, in the vacation, circumstances transpired connected 
with the speculations of the bank, which, as the president 
thought, called for prompt action. Mr. Duane, the Se- 
cretary of the Treasury, refused to carry out the wishes 
of the president, and he was forthwith removed, to make 
room for Mr. Taney, then Attorney-General, and after- 
wards Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. The deposits 
were withdrawn from the bank in October, and the con- 
test between the friends of that institution and the ad- 
herents of General Jackson was renewed with increased 
asperity and violence. At the next session of Congress 
the subject was brought up, and for weeks formed the 
principal topic of discussion. Several very able speeches 
were made by the leading politicians belonging to the two 
parlies. On the 2Mh of March, a resolution was adopted 
in the Senate, which had been offered by Mr. Clay, ex- 
pressing the opinion that the president, in his proceedings 
in relation to the public revenue, had "assumed upon 
himself authority and power not confe^'red by the consti- 
tution and laws, but in derogation of both." On the 15th 
of April following, the president sent a message to the 
Senate, respectfully protesting against their impeachment 
of his official acts, and requesting his communication to be 
entered on the journals.* The controversy between the 
president and Senate was carried so far, that that body 
refused to confirm a large number of his appointments, in 
many instances solely upon political grounds. At several 

* See page 284. 



HIS FINAL RETIREMENT. 185 

subsequent sessions, the removal of the deposits was dis- 
cussed in Congress, Mr. Benton, of Missouri, at an early- 
day, made a movement in favor of expunging the resolu- 
tion of censure from the journals of the senate. After 
several ineffectual attempts, a vote to that effect was 
adopted in the Senate, in conformity with the expressions 
of several pubhc meetings, and the instructions of the legis- 
latures of different states. The resolution was ordered to be 
expunged, by drawing black lines across and around it. 

In his annual message on the 8d of December, 1833, 
General Jackson informed Congress that the French go- 
vernment had failed to pay the instalment required by the 
stipulations of the convention concluded on the 4th of July, 
1831. At the next session he again called their attention 
to the continued delay in the payment of the money, and 
recommended the passage of a law authorizing reprisals 
upon French property, in case provision should not be 
made for it at the appoi:hing session of the Chamber of 
Deputies. The prompt and decisive tone of the president's 
message startled the chivalric feehngs of the French 
nation. The passports of the American minister were 
tendered to him, and a serious rupture was confidently 
anticipated. The unyielding firmness of General Jackson, 
and the sense of justice which soon prevailed in the French 
Chamber, averted the danger, and restored the peace and 
harmony previously existing between the two nations. 

Nothing of unusual interest occurred during the admi- 
nistration of General Jackson, after the amicable settlement 
of the difficulty with France. The severe panic which 
followed the derangement of the currency, consequent upon 
the efforts of the bank to procure a renewal of its charter, 
was followed by a season of unexampled prosperity. In 
18i5, the public debt was entirely liquidated ; and on the 
final retirement of General Jackson to private life, in the 
spring of 1837, he issued a farewell address to the Ame- 
rican^people, setting forth the principles upon which he 
had conducted the affairs of government, and congratulat- 
ing them on the peace and happiness which they enjoyed.* 

* See page 350. 



180 LIFE OF JACKSON. 



CHAPTER XII. 

1837. Ill health of General Jackson — Arrival at the Hermitage- 
Influence with his party — Friendly to the annexation of 'lexas— 
His oc 'upations — Embarrassed in his pecuniary affairs — Retunduig 
of the fine imposed by Judge Hall- — Failure of his health — His last 
illness — His Christian resignation and death — Honors paid to his 
memory — Remarks of Reverdy Johnson — Speech of Daniel Web 
ster — I'haracier of Jackson — His quabfications as a soldier and 
statesman — Attachment to his friends — His personal appearance — 
His pairiotism. 18^5, 

A SHORT time previous to the termination of his official 
career, General Jackson was attacked with a severe he- 
morrhage of the lungs, which for some days incapacitated 
hitn from attending to business. He recovered, however, 
sufficiently to be present at the inauguration of his suc- 
cessor, and take })art in the ceremonies of the day. On 
his arrival at the HrrtTiitage he was quite weak and infirm, 
but the relaxation from mental kibor, and the kind atten- 
tions of his adopted children, soon restored him to cotn- 
parative strength and health, though he still suffered much 
from the diseased state of his lungs. The various questions 
of pubh'c pohcy which afterwards agitated the country, 
and the movements of the two great political parties in 
the nation, did not fail to excite his attention. His in- 
fluence was silently exerted and felt in our national poli- 
tics up to the day of his death. He was still regarded as 
the leader of the party which had so long looked up to 
him as its head, and on all important occasions was con- 
sulted with as much veneration as were the oracles of olden 
time. He was, from the first, the warm and steadfast 
friend of the annexation of Texas to the Union. In the 
settlement of the Oregon boundary question he took a deep 
interest, though he did not live to see the boundary finally 
adjusted. 



HIS LAST ILLNESS. 187 

Most of General Jackson's time, in his retirement, was 
spent in minister'"':^' to the comforts of those who were 
dependent on him, and in overseeing the labor performed 
on his estate. He was a sincere and devout communicant 
of the Presbyterian church, and he erected a house of 
worship in the immediate vicinity of the Hermitage, for 
the convenience of his family and servants. Towards the 
close of his life he became involved in tiis circumstances, 
on account of some endorsements for a friend. When 
his condition was made known, several offers were made 
to extend him such pecuniary assistance as he might need. 
At the session of 1844-5, a law was passed by Congress, 
providing for the reimbursement of the fine of one thou- 
sand dollars paid by General Jackson at New Orleans, with 
interest from the time of its original payment. This act 
of justice, tardy as it was, was peculiarly grateful to the 
feelings of the general, and it served^to sweeten the clos 
ing reflections of his life. 

For several months previous to his decease, the health 
of General Jackson began rapidly to fail. His constitu- 
tion had been originally strong and vigorous, but exposure 
and privation during his Indian campaigns seriously im- 
paired his physical vigor. A gentleman who visited him 
in the month of May, 1845, states that he had not, at that 
time, been in a condition to lie down for four months. His 
whole system was invaded with dropsy; he had not suffi- 
cient strength to stand ; and his disease was attended with 
so much bodily pain, that he could obtain no sleep except by 
means of opiates. While in this dying condition, his por- 
trait was taken by an artist employed for the purpose by- 
Louis Phillippe, King of the French, who designed to place 
it by the side of Washington's in his gallery. He was con- 
stantly cheered by the visits of his old and attached per- 
sonal friends ; and the consolations of religion, to which he 
loved to resort, were a never-failing solace to his heart. 
On one occasion he remarked to a clergyman who called 
upon him. that he was ''in the hands of a mercitul God. 
1 have full confidence," said he, "in his goodness and 
mercy. My lamp of life is nearly out, and the last glim- 
mer is come. 1 am ready to depart when called. The 

9 



188 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

Bible is true. The principles and statutes of that holy book 
have been the rule of my life, and I have tried to cojiform 
to its spirit as near as possible. Upon that sacred volume 
I rest my hope of eternal salvation, through the merits 
and blood of our blessed Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ." 

General Jackson continued to grow more feeble, until 
Sunday, the 8th day of June, 1845. Early in the morn- 
ing of that day he swooned, and for some time was sup- 
posed to be dead. On reviving from the swoon, he became 
conscious that the spark of life was nearly exiinguished, 
and, expecting to die before another sun would set, he sent 
for his family and domestics to come and receive his dying 
benediction. His remarks, it is said, were full of affection 
and Christian resignation. His mind retained its vigor to 
the last, and his dying moments, even more than his earlier 
years, exhibited its highest intellectual light. To his fa- 
mily and friends he said : — " Do not grieve that I am about 
to leave you, for I shall be better off. Although I am af- 
flicted with pain and bodily suffering, they are as nothing 
compared with the sufferings of the Savior of the world, 
who was put to death on the accursed tree. I have ful- 
filled my destiny on earth, and it is better that this worn- 
out frame should go to rest, and my spirit take up its abode 
with the Redeemer." 

He continued tlius to address his relatives and friends, at 
intervals, during the forenoon, and, as the attending physi- 
cian. Dr. Esleman, remarked, his confidence and faith in 
the great truths of re ligion seemed to be more firm and 
unwavering than any man he had ever seen die. He ex- 
pressed a desire that Dr. Edgar, of the Presbyterian church, 
should preach his funeral sermon, and that no pomp or 
parade should be made over his grave. After years of 
patient suffering and endurance, the aged soldier and 
statesman thus quietly sunk into his last sleep. Calm 
and self-collected, though 0))pressed with pain, he yielded 
up his spirit with the resignation of a Christian. His 
death took place on the evening of the 8ih of June, in 
the seventy-ninth year of his age. 

The death of such a man, of one who had occupied so 
prominent a place in the affairs of the nation, and rendered 



RESPECT TO HIS MEMORY. 189 

SO many signal services to his country, was not to be re- 
garded as a thing of idle moment. Political opj onents 
and friends mt l together like brethren, to off.r the last 
tribute to his memory ; and the rancorous hostility of the 
partisan was forgotten, as he bent over the grave of 
Andrew Jackson, and involuntarily bedewed it with his 
tears. Throughout the union, the respect paid to his 
memory vvas both solemn and impressive. All the courts 
and public bodies in session adjourned on receiving the 
intelligence. Funeral processions were formed, and ad- 
dresses delivered in all the principal cities ; and nothing 
was left undone to evince the sincere regard for his cha- 
racter which was universally entertained. Among the 
eloquent tributes which the occasion elicited, the annexed 
remarks of Reverdy Johnson, a senator in Congress from 
the state of Maryland, and a political opponent of General 
Jackson, before the Court of Appeals of that state, richly 
deserve a perusal : 

" May it please the court — I rise to announce to the 
court the death of a great American, and to ask, in behalf 
of my brethren of the bar, as a respect justly due to his 
memory, that the court at once adjourn. 

"Andrew Jackson is no more. A long and trying ill- 
ness is at last ternnnated, and his spirit has winged its 
flight, 1 trust, to heaven. The life and character of the 
deceased have for many years filled a large space in the 
public eye ; and perhaps no man has ever lived amongst 
us, whose popularity or influence with the American 
people was deeper seated, or more commanding. 

"I need not inform the court, that the administration of 
the general government by this eminent citizen, during 
his presidency, in almost every particular of it, except his 
noble stand against the perilous and unconstitutional doc- 
trine of nullification, did not receive the approval of a large 
political party of the country; but as a member of that 
party, 1 never doubted that he was in heart and soul a 
patriot, deeply attached to the free institutions under 
which we live, and ardently solicitous for the honor and 
prosperity of the nation. 



190 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

" It is a redeeming trait in the character of our people, 
and greatly diminishes the mischiefs of mere party spirit, 
that we instinctively, when the nation is called upon to 
vindicate its honor, are found, to a man, united ; and that 
on the death of a great and patriotic citizen, we are alike 
found, without regard to party, joining in a national la- 
mentation at the afflictive event. 

"In this instance, there were in the eventful life of the de- 
ceased, deeds of service rendered the country, by which we 
all feel that the national glory was eminently subserved. 

" His military course seemed to know no disaster. With 
him, to go to battle was to go to victory. Whether war- 
ring at the head of American troops, with the cunning 
and daring of savage valor, or with the bravery and skill 
of the best disciplined army of the European world, the 
result was ever the same — a triumph. The crowning 
glory of his military life, the Battle of New Orleans, 
whilst it immeasurably increases the fame of our arms, 
will, in all future time, serve as a beacon to protect our 
soil from hostile tread. 

" In honor of such a man, it is fit that, in every portion 
of this great nation, due respect should be shown to his 
memory ; and I therefore move the court to gratify the 
feelings of the bar, as I am sure they will their own, by 
adjourning for the day." 

When the intelligence of the death of General Jackson 
reached New York, a special meeting of the New York 
Historical Society, of which the deceased was a member, 
was called, in order to express their regret at the national 
bereavement, and adopt measures for evincing their re- 
spect. Daniel Webster was present at the meeting, and 
made the following remarks, alike creditable to his head, 
and his heart. 

"Nothing could be more natural or proper, than that 
this society should take a respectful notice of the decease 
of so distinguished a member of its body. Accustomed 
occasionally to meet the society, and to enjoy the com- 
munications that are made to it, and proceed from it, iJlus- 
traiive of the history of the country and its government, 



REMARKS OF DANIEL WEBSTER. 191 

I have pleasure in being present at this time also, and on 
this occasion, in which an element so mournful mingles 
itself. General Andrew Jackson has been from an early- 
period conspicuous in the service and in the councils of 
the country, though not without long intervals, so far as 
respects his connection with the general government. It 
is fifty years, I think, since he was a member of the Con- 
gress of the United States, and at the instant, sir, I do not 
know whether there be living an associate of General 
Jackson in the House of Representatives of the United 
States at that day, with the exception of the distinguished 
and venerable gentleman who is now president of this 
society. I recollect only of the Congress of '96, at this 
moment now living, but one — Mr. Gallatin — though I 
may be mistaken. General Jackson, Mr. President, while 
he lived, and his memory and character, now that he is 
dect ased, are presented to his country and the world 
in difTerent views and relations. He was a soldier — a 
general officer — and acted no unimportant part in that 
caj acity. He was raised by repeated elections to the 
highest stations in the civil government of his country, 
and acted a part certainly not obscure or unimportant in 
that character and capacity. 

"In regard to his military services, I participate in the 
general sentiment of the whole country, and I believe of 
the world. That he was a soldier of dauntless courage — 
great daring and perseverance — an officer of skill, and 
arrangement, and foresight, are truths universally admitted. 
During the period in which he administered the general 
government of the country, it was my fortune, during the 
whole period of it, to be a member of the Congress of the 
Unitt d Slates, and as it is well known, it was my mis- 
fortune not to be able to concur with many of the most 
important measures of his administration. Entertaining 
nimself, his own views, and with a power of impress- 
ing ttiem, to a remarkable degree, upon the conviction 
and aDprobation of others, he pursued such a course as 
he tJinught expedient in the circumstances in which he 
was »^ laced. Entertaining on many questions of great 
impon^nce, different opinions, it was of course my mis- 



192 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

fortune to differ from him, and that difference gave me 
great pain, because, in the whole course of my public 
life, it has been far more agreeable to me to support the 
measures of the government, than to be called upon by my 
judgment, and sense of what is to be done, to op{)ose them. 
I desire to see the government acting with a unity of 
spirit in all things relating to its foreign relations, espe- 
cially, and generally in ail great measures of domestic 
policy, as far as is consistent with the exercise of perfec 
independence among its members. But if it was my mis- 
fortune to differ from General Jackson on many, or most 
of the great measures of his administration, there were oc- 
casions, and those not unimportant, in which I felt it my 
duty, and according to the hight'st s* nse of thai duty, to 
conform to his opinions, and support his measures. Tnere 
were junctures in his adminis^iralion — periods which I 
thought important and critical — in which the views he 
thought proper to adopt, corresponded entirely with my 
sentiments in regard to the protection of the best interests 
of the country, and the ir)St,tutions und(>r which we live; 
and it was my humble endeavor on these occasions to 
yiild to his opinions and measures, the same cordial sup- 
port as if 1 had not differed from him before, and expected 
never to differ from him again. 

" That General Jackson was a marked character — that 
he had a very remarkable influence over other men's 
opinions — that he had great perseverance and resolution 
in civil as well as in military administration, all admit. 
Nor do I think that the candid among mankind will ever 
doubt that it was his desire — mingled with whatsoever 
portion of a disposition to be himself instrumental in ihat 
exaltation — to elevate his country to the highest prosperity 
and honor. There is one sentiment, to which I par 
ticularly recur, always with a feeling of approbation and 
gratitude. From an earlier period of his undertaking te 
administer the affairs of the government, he uttered a 
sentiment dear to me — expressive of a truth of which 1 
am most profoundly convinced — a sentiment setting forib 
the necessity, the duty, and the patriorism of maintaining 
the union of these states. Mr. President, I am old enouirh 



HIS CHARACTER. 193 

to recollect the deaths of all the presidents of the United 
Stales who have departed this life, from Washinaion 
down. There is no doubt that the death of an individual, 
who has been so much the favorite of his country, and 
partaken so largely of its rt\g'ard as to fill that high office, 
always produces — has produced, hitht-rto, a strong im- 
pression upon the public mind. That is right. It is 
right that such should be the impression upon the whole 
community, embracing those who particularly approved, 
and those who did not particularly approve the political 
course of the deceased. 

"• All these distinguished men have been chosen of their 
country. They have fulfilled their station and duties upon 
the whole, in the series-of years that have gone before us, 
in a manner reputable and distinguished. Under their 
administration, in the course of fifty or sixty years, the 
government, generally speaking, has prospered, and under 
the government, ihe people have prospered. It becomes, 
then, all to pay respect when men thus honored are called 
to another world. Mr. President, we may well indulge 
the hope and belief, that it was the feeling of the dis- 
tinguished person who is the subj-^ct, of these resolutions, 
in the solemn days and hours of closing life — that it was 
his wish, if he had committed few or more errors in the ad- 
ministration of the oovernment, that their influence miirht 
cease with him ; and that whatever of good he had done, 
might be perpetuated. Let us cherish the same senti- 
ment. Let us act upon the same feeling; and whatever 
of true honor and glory he ac.juired, let us ail hope that 
it will be his inheritance for ever! And whatever of 
good example, or good principle, or good administration, 
he has established, let us hope that the benefi.t of it may 
also be perpetual." 

Andrew Jackson was, indeed, no ordinary man. The 
estimation in which he was held by his countrymen, the 
respect paid to his memory at home and abroad, are suffi- 
cient to confirm it, even if there could be a doubt. In 
many respects he was one of the most remarkable men 
that ever hved. As a soldier, he was prompt and reso- 



194 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

lute, stern and inflexible. With an intuitive sagacity, he 
foresaw dano-er. and was always prepared against it. His 
thoughts and perceptions were rapid, and his plans were 
often formed and executed before others had time for de- 
liberation. It was this celerity in his movements that 
secured many of his laurels. His courage and fortitude 
were both unquestioned. The principle of fear did not 
enter into his composition. He certainly could not have 
understood the meaning of the word. The cheerfulnes 
with which he shared the privations of his soldiers, shows 
that he possessed an entire indifference to hardship and 
suffering. But one of the most striking features in his 
character was his readiness in adapting himself to every 
position in which he was placed. There are many men 
who can do well, when the occasion does not overmatch 
them ; but Jackson always rose with the occasion ; and 
in ihe merest personal altercation, the same commanding 
traits were exhibited, which sustained themselves in a 
higher and nobler flight, on the field of battle, where the 
fate of nations depended on the issue of the day. 

As a statesman, General Jackson was clear-headed and 
sagacious. When he had once determined upon a par- 
ticular course, where any important principle was involved, 
he could not be swerved from what he conceived to be just 
and right. He never shrunk from the discharge of any 
public duty, and was always ready to avow any and every 
act of his administration, and unshrinkingh^ to abide the 
consequences. Never behind his party, but always in the 
advance, he eagerly sought for opportunities to carry out 
the principles by which he was guided. In private life, 
Jackson was kind-hearted, and generous in his disposition. 
His reputation was pure and unsullied. He abhorred 
every thing mean and grovelling, and cherished an instinc- 
tive hatred for what was dishonorable. He was irritable 
in his temperament, however, and easily excited. Yet, 
notwithstanding the impetuosity of his disposition fre 
quently carried him beyond the limits of prudence and 
moderation, it was this trait in his character which saved 
New Orleans from plunder and devastation. His attach- 
ments were warm and sincere. He never fortrot a 



HIS CHARACTER. 195 

favor, or failed to remember a friend. lie was devotedly 
attached to his country, her interests, and her institutions. 
It may well be, that flattery, and there are few men who 
cannot be swerved by its seductions, sometimes induced 
him to commit an unintentional wrong, in the effort to favor 
the wishes of some active and influential partisan; but for 
all that, he was none the less a patriot. 

In person, General Jackson was tall, and remarkably 
thin and erect. His weight bore no proportion to his 
height ; and his frame did not appear fitted for such trials 
as he had encountered. His features were large ; his 
eyes dark-blue, with a keen and strong glance ; his eye- 
brows arched and prominent ; and his complexion, that of 
the war-worn soldier. 

It is hardly to be anticipated, perhaps, that full and 
complete justice will be rendered to Andrew Jackson during 
the present generation. Men may differ in regard to the 
propriety of his conduct, and the wisdom of his measures, 
and unintentionally do injustice to 'lis m^ny noble qualities. 
Still, it is not too much to hope that the valuable services 
rendered to his country, connected though they be with 
the stern and high-handed measures adopted by his iron 
will, may be cherished with gratitude and respect; and 
that the soldier, the statesman, the patriot, and the Chris- 
tian, may be honored by a nation's blessing, and remem- 
bered in a nation's prayers. 

9* 



196 LIFE OF JACKSON. 



CHAPTER XIII. 

Eulogy on the Life and Character of General Jaclcson, delivered 
at IVashingion, June 27, 1845. By the Hon. George Bancroft. 

The men of the American Revolution are no more ! 
That age of creative power has passed away. The last 
surviving- signer of the Declaration of Independence has 
long since left the earth. Washington lies near his own 
Potomac, surrounded by his family and his servants. 
Adams, the Colossus of Independence, reposes in the 
modest grave-yard of his native region. Jefferson sleeps 
on the heights of his own Monticello, whence his eye 
overlooked his beloved Virginia. Madison, the last sur- 
vivor of the men who made our constitution, lives only in 
our hearts. But who shall say that the heroes, in whom 
the image of God shone most brightly, do not live forever ? 
They were filled with the vast conceptions whieh called 
America into being ; they lived for those conceptions, and 
their deeds praise them. 

We are met to commemorate the virtues of one who 
shed his blood for our independence, took part in winning 
the territory and forming the early institutions of the 
West, and was imbued with all the great ideas which 
constitute the moral force of our country. On the spot 
where he gave his solemn fealty to the people — here, 
where he pledged himself before the world, to freedom, 
to the constitution, and to the laws — we meet to pay our 
tribute to the memory of the last great name, which 
gathers round itself all the associations that form the 
glory of America. 

South Carolina gave a birthplace to Andrew Jackson. 
On its remote frontier, far up on the forest-clad banks of 
the Catawba, in a region where the settlers were just 
beginning to cluster, his eye first saw the light. There 



Bancroft's eulogy. 197 

ois infancy sported in the ancient forests, and his mind 

was nursed to freedom by their influence, lie was the 

jToungest son of an Irish emigrant of Scottish origin, who, 

two years after the great war of Frederic of Prussia, fled 

to America for reUef from indigence and oppression. 

His birth was in 1767, at a time when the people of our 

land were but a body of dependent colonists, scarcely 

more than two millions in number, scattered along an 

immense coast, with no army, or navy, or union ; and 

exposed to the attempts of England to control America 

by the aid of military force. His boyhood grew up in 

the midst of the contest with Great Britain. The first 

great political truth that reached his heart was, that all 

men are free and equal ; the first great fact that beamed 

on his understanding was, his country's independence. 

The strife, as it increased, came near the shades of his 
upland residence. As a boy of thirteen, he witnessed the 
scenes of horror that accompany civil war ; and when but 
a year older, with an elder brother, he shouldered his 
musket, and went forth to strike a blow for his country. 

Joyous era for America and for humanity! But for 
him, the orphan boy the events were full of agony and 
grief. His father vras no more. His oldest brother fell 
a victim to the war of the Revolution ; another (his com- 
panion in arms) died of wounds received in their joint 
captivity : his mother went down to the grave a victim 
to grief and efforts to rescue her sons ; and when peace 
came, he was alone in the world, with no kindred to 
cherish him, and Httle inheritance but his own untried 
powers. 

The nation which emancipated itself from British rule 
organizes itself; the confederation gives way to the con- 
stitution ; the perfecting of that constitution — that grand 
event of the thousand years of modern history — is accom- 
plished ! America exists as a people, gains unity as a 
government, and takes its place as a nation among the 
powers ef the earth. 

The next great office to be performed by America is 
the taking possession of the wilderness. The magnifi- 



198 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

cent western valley cried out to tlie civilization of popular 
power, that it must be occupied by cultivated man. 

Behold, then, our orphan hero, sternly earnest, con- 
secrated to humanity from childhood by sorrow, having 
neither father, nor mother, nor sister, nor surviving bro- 
ther ; so young, and yet so solitary, and therefore bound 
the more closely to collective man — behold him elect for 
his lot, to go forth and assist in laying the foundations of 
society in the great valley of the Mississippi. 

At the very time when Washington was pledging his 
own and future generations to the support of the popular 
institutions which were to be the light of the human 
race — at the time when the institutions of the Old World 
were rocking to their centre, and the mighty fabric that 
had come down from the middle ages, was falling in — 
the adventurous Jackson, in the radiant glory and bound- 
less hope and confident intrepidity of twenty-one, plunged 
into the wilderness, crossed the great mountain-barrier 
that divides the western waters from the Atlantic, fol- 
lowed the paths of the early hunters and fugitives, and, 
not content with the nearer neighborhood to his parent 
state, went still further and further to the west, till he 
found his home in the most beautiful region on the Cum- 
berland. There, from the first, he was recognised as the 
great pioneer; under his courage, the coming emigrants 
were sure to find a shield. 

The lovers of adventure began to pour themselves into 
the territory, whose dehcious climate and fertile soil in- 
vited the presence of social man. The hunter, Vtith his 
rifle and his axe, attended by his wife and children ; the 
herdsman, driving the few cattle that were to multiply as 
they browsed ; the cultivator of the soil — all came to the 
inviting region. Wherever the bending mountains opened 
a pass; wherever the buffaloes and the beasts of the 
forest had made a trace, these sons of nature, children 
of humanity, in the highest sentiment of personal free- 
dom, came to occupy the beautiful wilderness whose 
prairies blossomed everywhere profusely with wild flow- 
ers; whose woods in spring put to shame, by their mag- 
nificence, the cultivated gardens of man. 



Bancroft's eulogy. 199 

And now that these unlettered fugitives, educated 
only by the spirit of freedom, destitute of dead letter 
erudition, but sharing the living ideas of the age, had 
made their homes in the west — what would follow? 
AVould they degrade themselves to ignorance and infidel- 
ity ? Would they make the sohtudes of the desert ex- 
cuses for hcentiousness ? Would the doctrines of freedom 
lead them to live in unorganized society, destitute of laws 
and lixed institutions? 

At a time when European society was becoming broken 
in pieces, scattered, disunited, and resolved into its ele- 
ments, a scene ensued in Tennessee, than which nothing- 
more beautifull}^ grand is recorded in the annals of the 
race. 

These adventurers in the wilderness lono-ed to come 
together ni organized society. The overshadawing genius 
of their time inspired them with good designs, and tilled 
them with the counsels of wisdom. Dwellers in the for- 
est, freest of the free, bound in the spirit, they came up 
by their representatives, on foot, on horseback, through 
the forest, along the streams, by the buffiilo traces, by 
the Indian paths, by the blazed forest avenues, to meet 
in convention among the mountains at Knoxville, and 
frame for themselves a constitution. Andrew Jackson 
was there, the greatest man of them all — modest, bold, 
determined, demanding nothing for himself, and shrinking 
from nothing that his heart approved. 

The convention came together on the 11th day of 
January, 1796, and finished its work on the 6th day of 
February. How had the wisdom of the Old World vainly 
tasked itself to frame constitutions, that could, at least, be 
the subject of experiment! the men of Tennessee, in less 
than twenty-five days, perfected a fabric, which, in its 
essential forms, was to last for ever. They came together 
full of faith and reverence, of love to humanity, of con- 
fidence in truth. In the simplicity of wisdom, they 
framed their constitution, acting under hio-her influences 
than they were conscious of — 

They wrought in sad sincerity, 
Themselves from God they could not free ; 



200 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

They builded better than they knew ; 
The conscious stones to beauty grew. 

In the instrument which they framed, they embodied 
their faith in God, in the immortal nature of man. They 
gave the right of suffrage to every freeman ; they vindi- 
cated the sanctity of reason, by giving freedom of speech 
and of the press ; they reverenced the voice of God, as it 
speaks in the soul of man, by asserting the indefeasible 
right of man to worship the Infinite according to his con- 
science; they estabhshed the freedom and equahty of 
elections ; and they demanded from every future legislator 
a solemn oath " never to consent to any act or thing 
whatever, that shall have even a tendency to lessen the 
rights of the people." 

These majestic lawgivers, wiser than the Solons and 
Lycurguses and Numas of the Old World — these pro- 
phetic founders of a state, who embodied in their consti- 
tution the sublimest truths of humanity, acted without 
reference to human praises. 

They kept no special record of their proceedings ; they 
took no pains to vaunt their deeds ; and when their work 
was done, knew not that they had finished one of the 
sublimest acts ever performed among men. They left 
no record, as to whose agency was conspicuous, whose 
eloquence swayed, whose generous will predominated; 
nor should we know, but for tradition, confirmed by what 
followed among themselves. 

The men of Tennessee were now a people, and they 
were to send forth a man to stand for them in the Con- 
gress of the United States — that avenue to glory — that 
home of eloquence — the citadel of popular power; and, 
with one consent, they united in selecting the foremost 
man amono- their lawgivers — Andrew Jackson. 

The love of the people of Tennessee followed him to 
the American Congress, and he had served but a single 
term, when the state of Tennessee made him one of its 
representatives in the American Senate, where he sat 
under the auspices of Jefferson. 

Thus, when he was scarcely more than thirty, he had 



Bancroft's eulogy. 201 

guided the settlement of the wilderness ; swayed the 
deUberation of a people in establishing its fundamental 
law^s ; acted as the representative of that people, and again 
as the representative of his organized state, disciplined to 
a knowledge of the power of the people, and the power 
of the states; the associate of repubhcan statesmen, the 
friend and companion of Jefferson. 

The men who framed the constitution of the United 
States, many of them, did not know of the innate life and 
self-preserving energy of their work. They feared that 
freedom could not endure, and they planned a strong- 
government for its protection. 

During his short career in Congress, Jackson showed 
his quiet, deeply seated, innate, intuitive faith in human 
freedom, and in the institutions of freedom. He was 
ever, by his votes and opinions, found among those who 
had confidence in humanity; and in the great division of 
minds, this child of the woodlands, this representative of 
forest life in the west, was found modestly and firmly on 
the side of freedom. It did not occur to him to doubt 
the right of man to the fi-ee developement of his powers ; 
it did not occur to him to seek to give durability to popu- 
lar institutions, by giving to government a strength inde- 
pendent of popular will. 

From the first, he was attached to the fundamental 
doctrines of popular power, and of the policy that favors 
it; and though his reverence for Washington surpassed 
his reverence for any human being, he voted against the 
address from the House of Representatives to Washington 
on his retirement, because its language appeared to sanc- 
tion the financial policy which he believed hostile to 
republican freedom. 

During his period of service in the Senate, Jackson 
was elected major-general by the brigadiers .and field 
officers of the mihtia of Tennessee. Resigning his place' 
in the Senate, he was made judge of the supreme court 
in law and equity ; such was the confidence in his integ- 
rity of purpose, his clearness of judgment, and his vigor 
of will to deal justly among the turbulent who crowded 
into the new settlements of Tennessee. 



202 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

Thus, in the short period of nine years, Andrew Jack- 
son was signalized by as many evidences of public esteem 
as could fall to the lot of man. The pioneer of the wil- 
derness, the defender of its stations, he was their lawgiver, 
the sole representative of a new people in Congress, the 
representative of the state in the Senate, the highest in 
judicial office. He seemed to be recognised as their first 
love of liberty, the first in the science of legislation, in 
judgment, and integrity. 

Fond of private life, he would have resigned the judicial 
office; but the whole country demanded his service. 
"Nature," they cried, "never designed that your powers 
of thought and independence of mind should be lost in 
retirement." But after a few years, relieving himself 
from the cares of the bench, he gave himself to the activity 
and the independent life of a husbandman. He carried 
into retirement the fame of natural intelligence, and was 
cherished as "a prompt, frank, and ardent soul." His 
vigor of character constituted him first among all with 
whom he associated. A private man as he was, his name 
was famiharly spoken round every hearth-stone in Ten- 
nessee. Men loved to discuss his qualities. All discerned 
his power; and when the vehemence and impetuosity of 
liis nature were observed upon, there were not wanting- 
those who saw, beneath the blazing fires of his genius, the 
sohdity of his judgment. 

His hospitable roof sheltered the emigrant and the 
pioneer ; and, as they made their way to their new home?, 
they filled the mountain-sides and the valleys with J-is 
praise. 

Connecting himself, for a season, with a man of '.:isi- 
ness, Jackson soon discerned the misconduct of his r^sso- 
ciate. It marked his character, that he insisted, L.mself, 
on paying every obligation that had been contractec ; and 
rather than endure the vassalage of debt, he instantly 
parted with the rich domain which his early enterprise 
had acquired — with his own mansion — with his fields 
which he himself had first tamed to the ploughshare — 
with the forest whose trees were as famihar to him as his 
friends — and chose rather to dwell, for a time, in a rude 
log-cabin, in the pride of independence and integrity. 



Bancroft's eulogy. 203 

On all great occasions, Jackson's influence was deferred 
to. When Jefferson had acquired for the country the 
whole of Louisiana, and there seemed some hesitancy, on 
the part of Spain, to ackn^owledge our possession, the ser- 
vices of Jackson were solicited by the national administra- 
tion, and were not called into full exercise, only from the 
peaceful termination of the incidents that occasioned the 
summons. 

In the lono- series of ao\orressions on the freedom of the 
seas, and the rights of the American flag, Jackson was on 
the side of his country, and the new maritime code of 
republicanism. In his inland home, where the roar of the 
breakers was never heard, and the mariner was never 
seen, he resented the continued aggression on our com- 
merce and on our sailors. 

When the continuance of wrong compelled the nation 
to resort to arms, Jackson, led by the instinctive know- 
ledge of his own greatness, yet with a modesty that would 
have honored the most sensitive dehcacy of nature, con- 
fessed his willingness to be employed on the Canada 
frontier; and it is a fact, that he aspired to the command 
to which Winchester was appointed. We may ask, what 
would have been the result, if the command of the north- 
western army had, at the opening of the war, been intrust- 
ed to a man who, in action, was ever so fortunate, that 
his vehement will seemed to have made destiny capitulate 
to his designs ? 

The path of duty led him in another direction. On 
the declaration of war, twenty-five hundred volunteers 
had risen at his word to follow his standard; but by 
countermanding orders from the seat of government, the 
movement was without effect. 

A new and great danger hung over the West. The 
Indian tribes were to make one last effort to restore it to 
its solitude, and recover it for savage life. The brave, 
relentless Shawnees — who, from time immemorial, had 
strolled from the waters of the Ohio to the rivers of Ala- 
bama — were animated by Tecumseh and his brother the 
Prophet, who spoke to them as with the voice of the 
Great Spirit, and aroused the Creek nation to desperate 



204 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

massacres. Who has not heard of their terrible deeds, 
when their ruthless cruelty spared neither sex nor age ? 
when the infant and its mother, the planter and his fam- 
ily, who had tied for refuge to the fortress, the garrison 
that capitulated — all were slain, and not a vestige of de- 
fence was left in the country ? The cry of the West 
demanded Jackson for its defender ; and though his arm 
was then fractured by a ball, and hung in a sling, he 
placed himself at the head of the volunteers of Tennessee, 
and resolved to terminate forever the hereditary struggle. 

Who can tell the horrors of that campaign ? W ho can 
paint rightly the obstacles which Jackson overcame — 
mountains, the scarcity of untenanted forests ; /winter, the 
failure of supplies from the settlements, the insubordina- 
tion of tvoops, mutiny, menaces of desertion ? Who can 
measure the wonderful power over men, by which his 
personal prowess and attractive energy drew them in 
midwinter from their homes, across mountains and mo- 
rasses, and through trackless deserts ? Who can describe 
the personal heroism of Jackson, never sparing himself, 
beyond any of his men encountering toil and fatigue, 
sharing every labor of the camp and of the march, fore- 
most in every danger; giving up his horse to the invalid 
soldier, while he himself waded through the swamps on 
foot ? None equalled him in power of endurance ; and 
the private soldiers, as they found him passing them on 
the march, exclaimed, "He is as tough as hickory." 
"Yes," they cried to one another, "There goes Old 
Hickory!" 

Who cannot narrate the terrible events of the double 
battles of Emuckfaw, or the glorious victory of Tohopeka, 
where the angei of the general against the faltering was 
more appalling than the war-whuop and rifle of the sav- 
age ? Who can rightly conceive the field of Enotochopoo, 
where the general, as he attempted to draw the sword to 
cut down a flying colonel who was leading a reoiment 
fi'om the field, broke again the arm which was but newly 
knit together; and quietly replacing it in the sling, with 
his commanding voice arrested the flight of the troops, 
and himself led them back to victory ! 



Bancroft's eulogy. 205 

In six short months of vehement action, the most terri- 
ble Indian war in our annals was brought to a close ; the 
prophets were silenced; the consecrated region of the 
Creek nation reduced. Through scenes of blood, the 
avenging hero sought only the path to peace. Thus, 
Alabama, a part of Mississippi, a part of his own Tennes- 
see, and the highway to the Floridas, were his gifts to the 
Union. These were his trophies. 

Genius as extraordinary as military events can call 
forth, was summoned into action in this rapid, efficient, 
and most fortunately conducted war. 

Time would fail were I to track our hero down the 
watercourses of Alabama to the neio-hborhood of Pensa- 
cola. How he longed to plant the eagle of his country 
on its battlements! 

Time would fail, and words be wantino* were I to dwell 
on the magical influence of his appearance in New Orleans. 
His presence dissipated gloom and dispelled alarm; at 
once he changed the aspect of despair into a confidence 
of security and a hope of acquiring glory. Every man 
knows the tale of the heroic, sudden, and yet deliberate 
darino- which led him, on the nio-ht of the 23d of Decem- 
ber, to precipitate his little army on his foes, in the thick 
darkness, before they grew familiar with their encamp- 
ment, scattering dismay through veteran regiments of 
England, and defeating them, and arresting their progress 
by a far inferior force. 

Who shall recount the counsels of prudence, the kind- 
ling words of eloquence that gushed from his lips to cheer 
his soldiers — his skirmishes and battles, till that eventful 
morning when the day at Bunker's Hill had its fultilment 
in the glorious battle of New Orleans, and American 
independence stood before the world in the majesty of 
victorious power. 

These were great deeds for the nation ; for himself he 
did a greater. Had not Jackson been renowned for the 
vehement impetuosity of his passions, for his defiance of 
others' authority, and the unbending vigor of his self-will ? 
Behold the saviour of Louisiana, all garlanded with vic- 
tory, viewing around him the city he had preserved, the 



206 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

maidens and children whom his heroism had protected, 
stand in the presence of a petty judge, who gratifies his 
wounded vanity by an abuse of his judicial power. Every 
breast in the crowded audience heaves with indignation. 
He, the passionate, the impetuous — he whose power was 
to be humbled, whose honor questioned, whose laurels 
tarnished, alone stood sublimely serene; and when the 
craven judge trembled and faltered, and dared not pro- 
ceed, himself, the arraigned one, bade him take courage, 
and stood by the law even in the moment when the law 
was made the instrument of insult ind wrong on him- 
self — at the moment of his most perfect claim to the high- 
est civic honors. 

His country, when it grew to hold many more millions, 
the generation that then was coming in, has risen up to 
do homage to the noble heroism of that hour. Woman, 
whose feeling is always right, did honor from the first to 
the purity of his heroism. The people of Louisiana, to the 
latest hour, will cherish his name as their greatest bene- 
factor. 

The culture of Jackson's mind had been much promoted 
by his services and associations in the war. His discipUne 
of himself, as the chief in command ; his intimate relations 
with men like Livingston ; the wonderful deeds in which 
he bore a part; all matured his judgment and mellowed 
his character. 

Peace came with its delights; once more the country 
rushed forward in the developement of its powers; once 
more the arts of industry healed the wounds that war had 
inflicted; and, from commerce and agriculture and manu- 
factures, wealth gushed abundantly under the free activity 
of unrestrained enterprise. 

And Jackson returned to his own fields and his own 
pursuits, to cherish his plantation, to care for his servants, 
to look after liis stud, to enjoy the affection of the most 
kind and devoted wife, whom he respected with the gen- 
tlest deference, and loved with an almost miraculous 
tenderness. 

And there he stood, like one of the mightiest forest 
trees of his own West, vigorous and colossal, sending its 



Bancroft's eulogy«i 207 

summit to the skies, and growing on its native soil in wild 
and inimitable magniticeuce, careless of beholders. From 
all parts of the country he received appeals to his pohtical 
amoition, and the severe modesty of his well-balanced 
mind turned them all aside. He was happy in his farm, 
happy in seclusion, happy in liis family, happy within 
himself. 

But the passions of the southern Indians were not 
allayed by the peace with Great Britain; and foreign 
emissaries were still among- them, to inflame and direct 
their malignity, Jackson was called forth by his country 
to restrain the cruelty of the treacherous and unsparing 
Semin(jles. It was in the train of the events of this war 
that he placed the American eagle on St. Marks, and 
above the ancient towers of St. Augustine. His deeds in 
that war, of themselves, form a monument to human power, 
to the celerity of his genius, to the creative fertility of his 
resources, his intuitive sagacity. As Spain, in his judg- 
ment, had committed aggression, he would have emanci- 
pated her islands ; of the Havana, he caused the reconnois- 
sance to be made ; and wdth an army of five thousand men, 
he stood ready to guaranty her redemption from colonial 
thraldom. 

But when peace was restored, and his office was accom- 
plished, his physical strength sunk under the pestilential 
influence of the climate, and, fast yielding to disease, he 
was borne in a htter across the swamps of Florida, tow^ards 
his home. It was Jackson's character that he never 
solicited aid from any one ; but he never forgot those who 
rendered him service in the hour of need. At a time 
when all around him beUeved him near his end, his wnfe 
hastened to his side, and, by her tenderness and nursing 
care, her patient assiduity, and the soothing influence of 
devoted love, withheld him from the grave. 

He would have remained quietly at his home in repose, 
but that he was privately informed his good name was to 
be attainted by some intended congressional proceedings. 
He came, therefore, into the presence of the people's repre- 
sentatives at Washing-ton, only to vindicate his name ; and 
when that was achieved, he was once more communing 



208 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

wit] I his own thoughts among the groves of the Hermitage. 

It was not his own ambition which brought him again 
to the pubhc view. The affection of Tennessee compelled 
him to resume a seat on the floor of the American JSenate, 
and, after years of the intensest political strife, Andrew 
Jackson was elected President of the United States. 

Far from advancing his own pretensions, he always 
kept th(3m back, and had for years repressed the solicita- 
tions of his friends to become a candidate. He felt sensi- 
bly that he was devoid of scientitic culture, and little 
familiar with letters; and he never obtruded his opinions, 
or preferred claims to place. But, whenever his opinion 
was demanded, he was always ready to pronounce it; and 
whenever his country involved his services, he did not 
shrink even from the station which had been filled by the 
most cultivated men our nation had produced. 

Behold, then, the unlettered man of the West, the 
nursling of the wilds, the farmer of the Hermitage, little 
versed m books, unconnected by science with the tradition 
of the past, raised by the will of the people to the highest 
pinnacle of honor, to the central post in the civilization of 
repubucan freedom, to the station where all the nations 
of the earth would watch his actions — where his words 
would vibrate through the civilized world, and his spirit 
be the moving-star to guide the nations. What policy 
will ho pursue ? What wisdom will he bring with him 
from the forest? What rules of duty will he evolve from 
the oracles of his own mind? 

The man of the West came as the inspired prophet of 
the West: he came as one free from the bonds of herodi- 
Iji.iry or established custom ; he came with no superior but 
conscience, no oracle but his native judgment; and, true 
to his origin and his education — true to tiie conditions and 
circumstances of his advancement, he valued right more 
than usage ; he reverted from the pressure of established 
interests to the energy of first principles. 

We tread on ashes, where the fire is not yet extin- 
guished ; yet not to dwell on his career as President, were 
to leave out of view the grandest illustrations of his 
magnanimity. 



Bancroft's eulogy. 209 

Tlie legislation of the United States had followed the 
precedents of the legislation of European monarchies; it 
was tlie office of Jackson to lift the country out of the 
European forms of legislation, and to open to it a career 
restino- on American sentiment and American freedom. 
He would have freedom everywhere — freedom under th« 
restraints of right ; freedom of industry, of commerce, of 
mind ; of universal action ; fi-eedom, unshackled by restric- 
tive privileges, unrestrained by the thraldom of monopolies. 

The unity of his mind and his consistency were without 
a parallel. AV'ith natural dialectics, he developed the 
political doctrines that suited every emergency, with a 
precision and a harmony that no theorist could hope to 
equal. On every subject in politics — I speak but a fact — 
he was thoroughly and profoundly and immoveablv radi- 
cal ; and would sit for hours, and in a continued flow of 
remark make the application of his principles to every 
question that could arise in legislation, or in the interpret- 
ation of the constitution. 

His expression of himself was so clear, that his influence 
pervaded not our land only, but all America and all man- 
kind. They say that, in the physical world, the magnetic 
fluid is so diflfused, that its vibrations are discernible sim- 
ultaneously in every part of the globe. So it is with the 
element of freedom. And as Jackson developed its doc- 
trines from their source in the mind of humanity, the 
popular sympathy was moved and agitated throughout 
the world, till his name gTew everywhere to be the sym- 
bol of popular power. 

Himself the witness of the ruthlessness of savage life, 
he planned the removal of the Indian tribes beyond the 
limits of the organized states ; and it is the result of his 
determined policy that the region east of the Mississippi 
has been transferred to the exclusive possession of culti- 
vated man. 

A pupil of the wilderness, his heart was with the pio- 
neers of American hfe towards the setting sun. No 
American statesman has ever embraced within his affec- 
tions a scheme so liberal for the emigrants as that of 
JacksQEL Htt longed to secure to them, not pre-emption 



I 



210 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

rights only, but more than pre-emption rights. He longed 
to invite labor to take possession of the unoccupied tields 
without money and without price; with no obligation 
except the perpetual devotion of itself by allegiance to its 
country. Under the beneficent influence of his opinions, 
the sons of misfortune, the children of adventure, lind 
their way to the uncultivated West. There, in some 
wilderness glade, or in the thick forest of the fertile plain, 
or where the prairies most sparkle with flowers, they, like 
the wild bee which sets them the example of industry, 
may choose then- home, mark the extent of their posses- 
sions, by driving stakes or blazing trees, shelter their log- 
cabin with, the boughs and turf, and teach the virgin soil 
to yield itself to the ploughshare. Theirs shall be the 
soil, theirs the beautiful farms which they teach to be 
productive. Come, children of sorrow ! you on whom the 
Old World frowns ; crowd fearlessly to the forests ; plant 
your homes in confidence, for the country watches ovei 
you ; your children grow around you as hostages, and the 
wilderness, at yom- bidding, surrenders its grandeur of 
usieless luxuriance to the beauty and lovefiness of culture. 
Yet, beautiful and lovely as is this scene, it still by far 
falls short of the ideal which lived in the afi"ections of 
Jackson. His heart was ever with the pioneer ; his policy 
ever favored the diftusion of independent freeholds 
throuo'hout the laborino- classes of our land. 

It would be a sin against the occasion, were I to omit 
to commemorate the deep devotedness of Jackson to the 
cause and to the rights of labor. It was for the welfare 
of the labourino- classes that he defied all the storms of 
pohtical hostility. He longed to secure to labor the fruits 
of its own industry; and he unceasingly opposed every 
system which tended to lessen their reward, or which 
exposed them to be defrauded of their dues. The laborers 
may bend over his grave with aftectionate sorrow; for 
never, in the tide of time, did a statesman exist more 
heartily resolved to protect them in their rights, and to 
advance their happiness. For their benefit, he opposed 
partial legislation ; for their benefit, he resisted all artificial 
methods of controlhng labor, and subjecting it to capital. 



Bancroft's eulogy. 211 

It was for their benefit that he loved freedom in all its 
forms — freedom of the individual in personal independence, 
freedom of the states as separate sovereignties. He never 
would listen to counsels which tended to the centrahza- 
tion of power. The true American system presupposes 
the diffusion of freedom — organized life in all the parts of 
the American body politic, as there is organized life in 
every part of the human system. Jackson was deaf to 
every counsel which sought to subject general labor to a 
central will. His vindication of the just principles of the 
constitution derived its sublimity from his deep conviction 
that this strict construction is required by the lasting wel- 
fare of the o-reat laborino- classes of the United States. 

To this end, Jackson revived the tribunicial power of 
the veto, and exerted it against the decisive action of both 
branches of Congress, against the votes, the wishes, the 
entreaties of personal and pohtical friends. " Show me," 
was his reply to them, " show me an express clause in the 
constitution authorizino- Cono-ress to take the business of 
state leoislatures out of their hands." " You will ruin us 
all," cried a firm partisan friend, "you will ruin your party 
and your own prospects." " Providence," answered Jack- 
son, "will take care of me;" and he persevered. 

In proceeding to discharge the debt of the United 
States — a measure thoroughly American — Jackson fol- 
lowed the example of his predecessors ; but he followed it 
with the full consciousness that he was rescuing the coun- 
try from the artificial system of finance which had pre- 
vailed throughout the world ; and with him it formed a 
part of a system by which American legislation was to 
separate itself more and more effectually from European 
precedents, and develope itself more and more, according 
to the vital principles of our political existence. 

The discharge of the debt brought with it, of necessity, 
a great reduction of the pubUc burdens, and brought, of 
necessity, into view, the question, how far America should 
follow, of choice, the old restrictive system of high duties, 
under which Europe had oppressed America; or how far 
she should rely on her own freedom and enterprise and 
power, defying the competition, and seeking the markets, 
and receiving the products of the world. 

\0 



212 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

The mind of Jackson, on this subject, reasoned clearly, 
and without passion. In the abuses of the system of 
revenue by excessive imposts, he saw evils which the pub- 
lic mind would remedy ; and, inclining with the whole 
mio-ht of his energetic nature to the side of revenue duties, 
he made his earnest but tranquil appeal to the judgment 
of the people. 

The portions of country that suffered most severely 
from a system of legislation, which, in its extreme charac- 
ter, as it then existed, is now universally acknowledged to 
have been unequal and unjust, were less tranquil; and 
rallying on the doctrines of freedom, which made our gov- 
ernment a limited one, they saw in the oppressive acts an 
assumption of power which was nugatory, because it was 
exercised, as they held, without authority from the people. 

The contest that ensued was the most momentous in 
our annals. The greatest minds of A.merica engaged in 
the discussion. Eloquence never achieved sublimer tri- 
umphs in the American Senate, than on those occasions. 
The country became deeply divided ; and the antagonist 
elements were arrayed against each other under forms of 
clashing authority, menacing civil war; the freedom of 
the several states was invoked against the power of the 
United States ; and under the organization of a state in 
convention, the reserved rights of the people were sum- 
moned to display their energy, and balance the authority 
and neutralize the legislation of the central government. 
The states were agitated with prolonged excitement; the 
friends of freedom throughout the world looked on with 
divided sympathies, praying that the union of the states 
might be perpetual, and also that the eommerce of the 
world might be free. 

Fortunately for the country, and fortunately for man- 
kind, Andrew Jackson was at the helm of state, the repre- 
sentative of the principles that were to allay excitement, 
and to restore the hopes of peace and freedom. By 
nature, by impulse, by education, by conviction, a friend 
to personal freedom — by education, political sympathies, 
and the lixed habit of his mind, a friend to the riirhts of 
the states — unwilhng that the hberty of the states should 



Bancroft's eulogy. 213 

be trampled under foot — unwilling that the constitution 
should lose its vigor or be impaired, he rallied for the 
constitution : and in its name he published to the world, 
"The Union: it must be preserved." The words were 
a spell to hush evil passion, and to remove oppression. 
Under his o-uiding- influence, the favored interests, which 
had struggled to perpetuate unjust legislation, yielded to 
the voice of moderation and reform ; and every mind that 
had for a moment contemplated a rupture of the states, 
discarded it forever. The whole influence of the past was 
invoked in favor of the constitution; from the council 
chambers of the fathers Avho moulded our institutions — 
from the hall where American independence was declared, 
the clear, loud cry was uttered — " The Union : it must be 
preserved." From every battle-field of the Revolution — 
from Lexington and Bunker-Hill — from Saratoga and 
Yorktown — from the fields of Eutaw — from the cane- 
brakes that sheltered the men of Marion— the repeated, 
long-prolonged echoes came up — " The Union : it must be 
preserved." From every valley in our land — from every 
cabin on the pleasant mountain sides — from the ships at 
our wharves — from the tents of the hunter in our western- 
most prairies — from the living minds of the living millions 
of American freemen — from the thickly coming glories of 
futurity — the shout went up like the sound of many 
waters, "The Union: it must be preserved." The friends 
of the protective system, and they who had denounced 
the protective system — the statesmen of the north, that 
had wounded the constitution in their love of centrahsm 
— the statesmen of the south, whose minds had carried to 
its extreme the theory of state rights — all conspired 
together; all breathed prayers for the perpetuity of the 
Union. Under the prudent firmness of Jackson — under 
the mixture of justice and general regard for all interests, 
the greatest danger to our institutions was turned aside, 
and mankind was encouraged to beheve that our Union, 
like our freedom, is imperishable. 

The moral of the great events of those days is this : that 
the people can discern right, and will make their way to 
a knowledo-e of right; that the whole human mind, and 



214 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

therefore with it the mind of the nation, has a continuous, 
ever improving existence; that the appeal from the unjust 
legislation of to-day must be made quietly, earnestly, per- 
severingly, to the more enlightened collective reason of 
to-morrow ; that submission is due to the popular will, in 
the confidence that the people, when in error, will amend 
their doings; that in a popular government, injustice is 
neither to be established by force, nor to be resisted by 
force ; in a word, that the Union, which was constitutod by 
consent, must be preserved by love. 

It rarely falls to the happy lot of a statesman to receive 
such unanimous applause from the heart of a nation. 
Duty to the dead demands that, on this occasion, the 
course of measures should not pass unnoticed, in the pro- 
gress of which his vigor of character most clearly ap- 
peared, and his conflict with opposing parties was most 
violent and protracted. 

From his home in Tennessee, Jackson came to the pre- 
sidency resolved to hft American legislation out of the 
forms of English legislation, and to place our laws on the 
currency in harmony with the principles of our govern- 
ment. He came to the presidency of the United States 
resolved to deliver the government from the Bank of the 
United States, and to restore the regulation of exchanges 
to the rightful depository of that power — the commerce 
of the country. He had designed to declare his views on 
this subject in his inaugural address, but was persuaded 
to relinquish that purpose, on the ground that it belonged 
rather to a legislative message. When the period for 
addressing Conoress drew near, it was still uroed that to 
attack the Bank would forfeit his popularity and secure 
his future defeat. " It is not," he answered, "it is not for 
myself that I care." It was urged that haste was unne- 
cessary, as the Bank had still six unexpended years of 
chartered existence. "I may die," he replied, "before 
another Congress comes together, and I could not rest 
quietly in my grave, if I failed to do what I hold so essen- 
tial to the liberty of my country." And his first annual 
message announced to the country that the Bank was 
neither constitutional nor expedient. In this he was in 



Bancroft's eulogy. 215 

advance of the friends about him, in advance of Congress, 
and in advance of his party. This is no time for the anal- 
ysis of measures, or the discussion of questions of pohtical 
economy : on the present occasion, we have to contemplate 
the character of the man. 

Never, from the first moment of his administration to 
the last, was there a calm in the strife of parties on the 
subject of the currency; and never, during the whole 
period, did he recede or falter. Always in advance of 
his party — alwa3^s having near him friends who cowered 
before the hardihood of his courage, he himself, through- 
out all the contest, was unmoved, from the first suggestion 
of the unconstitutionality of the Bank, to the moment 
w^hen he himself, first of all, reasoning from the certain 
tendency of its policy, with singular sagacity predicted to 
unbeheving friends, the coming insolvency of the insti- 
tution. 

The storm throughout the country rose with unexam- 
pled vehemence : his opponents were not satisfied with 
addressing the public or Congress, or his cabinet; they 
threw their whole force personally on him. From ail 
parts men pressed around him, urging him, entreating 
him to bend. CongTess was flexible ; many of his personal 
friends faltered; the impetuous swelHngMvave rolled on, 
without one sufficient obstacle, till it reached his presence ; 
but, as it dashed in its highest fury at his feet, it broke 
before his firmness. The commanding majesty of his will 
appalled his opponents and revived his friends. He, 
himself, had a proud consciousness that his will was indom- 
itable. Standing over the rocks of the Rip Raps, and 
looking out upon the ocean, "Providence," said he to a 
friend, "Providence may change my determination; but 
man no more can do it, than he can remove these Rip 
Raps, which have resisted the rolling ocean from th« 
beginning of time." And though a panic was spreading 
through the land, and the whole credit system, as it then 
existed, was crumbling to pieces and crashing around him, 
he stood erect, like a massive column, which the heaps 
of falling ruins could not break, nor bend, nor sway from 
its fixed foundation. 



216 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

[At this point Mr. Bancroft turned to address the Mayor 
of the city of Wasliington ; but, finding him not present, 
he proceeded.] 

People of the District of Columbia, — I should fail of a 
duty on this occasion, if I did not give utterance to your 
sentiment of gratitude which followed General Jackson 
into retirement. Dwelling amongst you, he desired your 
prosperity. This beautiful city, surrounded by heights 
the most attractive, watered by a river so magnilicent, the 
home of the gentle and the cultivated, not less than the 
seat of political power — this city, whose site Washington 
had selected, was dear to his affections; and if he won 
your grateful attachment by adorning it with nlonuments 
of useful architecture, by establishing its credit, and 
relieving its burdens, he regretted only that he had not 
the opportunity to have connected himself still more inti- 
mately with your prosperity. 

As he prepared to take his final leave of the district, 
the mass of the population of this city, and the masses 
that had gathered from around, followed his carriage in 
crowds. All in silence stood near him, to wish him adieu ; 
and as the cars started, and he displayed his grey hairs, 
as he lifted his hat in token of farewell, you stood around 
with heads uncovered, too full of emotion to speak, in 
solemn silence gazing on him as he departed, never more 
to be seen in your midst. 

Behold the warrior and statesman, his work well done, 
retired to the Hermitage, to hold converse with his forests, 
to cultivate his farm, to gather around him hospitably his 
friends! Who was like him? He was still the loadstar 
of the American people. His fervid thoughts, frankly 
uttered, still spread the flame of patriotism through the 
American breast; his counsels were still listened to with 
reverence ; and, almost alone among statesmen, he in his 
retirement was in harmony with every onward movement 
of his time. His prevailing influence assisted to sway a 
neighboring nation to desire to share our institutions, his 
ear heard the footsteps of the coming millions that are to 
gladden our western shores; and his eye discerned in the 
dim distance the whitening sails that are to enliven the 



BANCROFT'S EULOGY. 21 7 

waters of the Pacific with the social sounds of our suc- 
cessful commerce. 

Age had whitened his locks and dimmed his eye, and 
spread around him the infirmities and venerable emblems 
of many years of toilsome service ; but his heart beat as 
warmly as in his youth, and his courage was as firm as it 
had ever been in the day of battle. But while his affec- 
tions were still for his friends and his country, his thouo-hts 
were already in a better world. That exalted mind, 
which in active life had always had unity of perception 
and will, which in action had never faltered from doubt, 
and which in council had always reverted to first princi- 
ples and general laws, now gave itself up to communing 
with the Infinite. He was a believer: from feehng, from 
experience, from conviction. Not a shadow of scepticism 
ever dimmed the lustre of his mind. Proud philosopher ! 
will you smile to know that Andrew Jackson perused 
reverently his Psalter and Prayer-book and Bible ? Know 
that Andrew Jackson had faith in the eternity of truth, 
in the imperishable power of popular freedom, in the 
destinies of humanity, in the virtues and capacity of the 
people, in his country's institutions, in the being and over- 
ruling providence of a merciful and ever-living God. 

The last moment of his life on earth is at hand. It is 
the Sabbath of the Lord: the brightness and beauty of 
summer clothe the fields around him: nature is in her 
glory ; but the sublimest spectacle on that day, on earth, 
was the victory of his unblenching spirit over death itself. 

When he first felt the hand of death upon him — 
"May my enemies," he cried, "find peace; may the liber- 
ties of my country endure for ever!" 

When his exhausted system, under the excess of pain, 
sunk, for a moment, from debility, "Do not weep," said 
he to his adopted daughter; "my sufferings are less than 
those of Christ upon the cross ;" for he, too, as a disciple 
of the cross, could have devoted himself, in sorrow, for 
mankind. Feelino- his end near, he would see all his 
family once more ; and he spoke to them, one by one, in 
words of tenderness and affection. His two little grand- 
children were absent at Sunday-school. He asked for 



218 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

them ; and as they came he prayed for them, and kissed 
them, and blessed them. His servants were then admit- 
ted : they gathered, some in his room, and some on the 
outside of the house, chnging to the windows, that they 
might gaze and hear. And that dying man, thus sur- 
rounded, in a gush of fervid eloquence, spoke with inspi- 
ration of God, of the Redeemer, of salvation through the 
atonement, of immortality, of heaven. For he ever 
thought that pure and undefiled religion was the founda- 
tion of private happiness, and the bulwark of republican 
institutions. Having spoken of immortality in perfect 
consciousness of his own approaching end, he bade them 
all farewell. "Dear children," such were his final words, 
" dear children, servants, and friends, I trust to meet you 
all in heaven, both white and black — all, both white and 
black." And having borne his testimony to immortality, 
he bowed his mighty head, and, without a groan, the 
spirit of the greatest man of his age escaped to the bosom 
of his God. 

In life, his career had been like the blaze of the sun in 
the fierceness of its noon-day glory ; his death was lovely 
as the mildest sunset of a summer's evening, when the sun 
goes down in tranquil beauty without a cloud. To the 
majestic energy of an indomitable will, he joined a heart 
capable of the purest and most devoted love, rich in the 
tenderest affections. On the bloody battle-field of Toho- 
peka, he saved an infant that clung to the breast of its 
dying mother : in the stormiest moment of his presidency, 
at the imminent moment of decision, he paused in his way 
to give good counsel to a poor suppliant that had come up 
to him for succor. Of the strifes in which he was en- 
gaged in his earher hfe, not one sprung from himself, but 
in every case he became involved by standing forth as 
the champion of the weak, the poor, and the defenceless, 
to shelter the gentle against oppression, to protect the 
emigrant against the avarice of the speculator. His gen- 
erous soul revolted at the barbarous practice of duels, and 
by no man in the land have so many been prevented. 

The sorrows of those that were near to him went deeply 
into his soul ; and at the anguish of the wife whom he 



Bancroft's eulogy. 219 

loved, the orphans whom he adopted, he would melt into 
tears, and weep and sob like a child. 

No man in private life so possessed the hearts of all 
around him : no public man of this century ever returned 
to private hfe with such an abiding mastery over the 
affections of the people. No man with truer instinct 
received American ideas: no man expressed them so 
completely, or so boldly, or so sincerel}'-. He was as sin- 
cere a man as ever lived. He was wholly, always, and 
altogether sincere and true. 

Up to the last, he dared do anything that it was rio-ht 
to do. He united personal courage and moral courao-e 
beyond any man of whom history keeps the record. Be- 
fore the nation, before the world, before coming ages, he 
stands forth the representative, for his generation, of the 
American mind. And the secret of his greatness is this : 
By intuitive conception, he shared and possessed all the 
creative ideas of his country and his time. He expressed 
them with dauntless intrepidity ; he enforced them with 
an immoveable will; he executed them with an electric 
power that attracted and swayed the American people. 
The nation, in his time, had not one great thought, of 
which he was not the boldest and clearest expositor. 

History does not describe the man that equalled him 
in firmness of nerve. Not danger, not an army in battle 
array, not wounds, not wide-spread clamor, not age, not 
the anguish of disease, could impair in the least degree 
the vigor of his steadfast mind. The heroes of antiquity 
would have contemplated w4th awe the unmatched hardi- 
hood of his character; and Napoleon, had he possessed 
his disinterested will, could never have been vanquished. 
Jackson never w\as vanquished. He was always fortunate. 
He conquered the wilderness; he conquered the savage; 
he conquered the bravest veterans trained in the battle- 
fields of Europe; he conquered everywhere in statesman- 
ship ; and, w^hen death came to get the mastery over him, 
he turned that last enemy aside as tranquilly as he had 
done the feeblest of his adversaries, and escaped from 
earth in the triumphant consciousness of immortality. 

His body has its fit resting-place in the great central 
10* 



220 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

valley of the Mississippi ; his spirit rests upon our whole 
territory ; it hovers over the vales of Oregon, and guards, 
m advance, the frontier of the Del Norte. The tires of 
party spirit are quenched at his grave. His faults and 
frailties have perished. Whatever of good he has done 
Uves, and will live forever. 



INAUGURAL ADDRESS. 221 



INAUGURAL ADDRESS. 

Delivered March 4th, 1829. 

Fellow- Citizens: — About to undertake the arduous 
duties that I have been appointed to perform by tlie choice 
of a free people, I avail myself of this customary and 
solemn occasion to express the gratitude which their con- 
fidence inspires, and to acknowledge the accountabihty 
which my situation enjoins. While the magnitude of 
their interests convinces me that no thanks can be ade- 
quate to the honor they have conferred, it admonishes me 
that the best return I can make, is the zealous dedication 
of my humble abihties to their service and their good. 

As the instrument of the federal constitution, it will 
devolve upon me, for a stated period, to execute the laws 
of the United States; to superintend their foreign and 
confederate relations ; to manage their revenue ; to com- 
mand their forces : and, by communications to the legis- 
lature, to watch over and to promote their interests 
generally. And the principles of action by which I shall 
endeavor to accomplish this circle of duties, it is now 
proper for me briefly to explain. 

In administering the laws of CongTess, I shall keep 
steadily in view the hmitations as well as the extent of 
the executive power, trusting thereby to discharge the 
functions of my office without transcending its authority 
With foreign nations it will be my study to preserve 
peace, and to cultivate friendship on fair and honorable 
terms ; and in the adjustment of any differences that may 
exist or arise, to exhibit the forbearance becoming a pow- 
erful nation, rather than the sensibility belonging to a 
gallant people. 

In such measures as I may be called on to pursue, in 



222 LIFE OF JACli.DUtt. 

regard to the rights of the separate states, I hope to be 
animated by a proper respect for those sovereign mem- 
bers of our IJnion ; taking care not to confound the powers 
they have reserved to themselves with those they have 
granted to the confederacy. 

The management of the pubHc revenue — that searching 
operation in all governments — is among the most dehcate 
and important trusts in ours ; and it will, of course, de- 
mand no inconsiderable share of my official solicitude. 
Under every aspect in which it can be considered, it would 
appear that advantage must result from the observance 
of a strict and faithful economy. This I shall aim at the 
more anxiously, both because it will facilitate the extin- 
guishment of the national debt, the unnecessary duration 
of which is incompatible with real independence, and be- 
cause it will counteract that tendency to public and private 
profligacy which a profuse expenditure of money by the 
government is but too apt to engender. 

Powerful auxiliaries to the attainment of this desirable 
end are to be found in the regulation provided by the 
wisdom of Congress for the specific appropriation of public 
money, and the promct accountability of public officers. 

With regard to a proper selection of the subjects of 
impost, with a view to revenue, it would seem to me that 
the spirit of equity, caution, and compromise, in which 
the constitution was formed, requires that the great in- 
terests of agriculture, commerce, and manufactures, should 
be equally favored ; and that perhaps the only exception 
to this rule should consist in the pecuhar encouragement 
of any products of either of them that may be found es- 
sential to our national independence. 

Internal improvement, and the diffusion of knowledge, 
so far as they can be promoted by the constitutional acts 
of the federal government, are of high importance. 

Considering standing armies as dangerous to free govern- 
ments in time of peace, I shall not seek to enlarge our 
present establishment, nor to disregard that salutarj- les- 
son of political experience which teaches that the military 
should be held subordinate to the civil power. The grad- 
ual increase of our navy, whose flag has displayed in 



INAUGURAL ADDRESS. 223 

distant climes our skill in navigation and our fame in arms; 
the preservation of our forts, arsenals, and dock-yards; 
and the introduction of progressive improvements in the 
disciphne and science of both branches of our military 
service, are so plainly prescribed by prudence, that I should 
be excused for omitting their mention, sooner than enlarg- 
ing on their importance. But the bulwark of our defence 
is the national militia, which, in the present state of our 
intelligence and population, must render us invincible. As 
lono- as our o-overnment is administered for the o-ood of the 
people, and is regulated by their will ; as long as it se- 
cures to us the rights of person and property, liberty of 
conscience, and of the press, it will be worth defending ; 
and so long as it is worth defending, a patriotic militia 
will cover it with an impenetrable cegis. Partial injuries 
and occasional mortification we may be subjected to; but 
a million of armed freemen, possessed of the means of 
war, can never be conquered by a foreign foe. To any 
just system, therefore, calculated to strengthen this natu- 
ral safeguard of the countiy, I shall cheerfully lend all the 
aid in my power. 

It will be my sincere and constfmt desire to observe 
toward the Indian tiibes within our hmits a just and 
liberal pohcy, and to give that humane and considerate 
attention to their rights and their wants which are consis- 
tent with the habits of our government and the feelings 
of our people. 

The recent demonstration of public sentiment inscribes 
on the list of executive duties, in characters too legible to 
overlooked, the task of reform; which will require parti- 
cularly the correction of those abuses that have brought 
the patronage of the federal government into conflict 
with the freedom of elections and the counteraction of 
those causes which have disturbed the rightful course of 
appointment, and have placed or continued power in 
unfaithful or incompetent hands. 

In the performance of a task thus generally delineated, 
I shall endeavor to select men whose diligence and talents 
will insure, in their respective stations, able and faithful 
co-operation — depending for the advancement of the pub- 



224 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

lie service, more on the integrity and zeal of the public 
officers, than on their numbers. 

A diffidence, perhaps too just, in my own quahfication, 
will teach me to look with reverence to the examples of 
pubHc vitrue left by my illustrious predecessors, and with 
veneration to the Hghts that flow fi'om the mind that 
founded and the mind that reformed our system. The 
same diffidence induces me to hope for instruction and aid 
from the co-ordinate branches of the government, and for 
the indulgence and support of my fellow citizens general- 
ly. And a firm reliance on the goodness of that Power 
whose providence mercifully protected our national infan- 
cy, and has since upheld our liberties in various vicissi- 
tudes, encourages me to oflfer up my ardent suppUcation 
that he will continue to make our beloved country the 
object of his divine care and gracious benediction. 



MAYSVILLE ROAD VETO. 225 



MAYSVILLE ROAD VETO. 

Delivered, May ^7th, 1830. 

To ttie House of Representatives : — 

Gentlemen : I have maturely considered the bill pro- 
posing to authorize *' a subscription of stock in the Mays- 
ville, Washington, Paris, and Lexingion Turnpike-road 
Company," and now return the same to the house of 
representatives, in which it originated, with my objections 
to its passage. 

Sincerely friendly to the improvement of our country 
by means of roads and canals, I regret that any difference 
of opinion in the mode of contributing to it should exist 
between us ; and if, in stating this difference, I go beyond 
what the occasion may be deemed to call for, I hope to 
find an apology in the great importance of the subject, an 
unfeigned respect for the high source from which this 
branch of it has emanated, and an anxious wish to be 
correctly understood by my constituents in the discharge 
of all my duties. Diversity of sentiment among public 
functionaries, actuated by the same general motives, on 
the character and tendency of particular measures, is an 
incident common to all governments, and the more to be 
expected in one which, like ours, owes its existence to the 
freedom of opinion, and must be upheld by the same 
influence. Controlled as we thus are by a higher tribu- 
nal, before which our respective acts will be canvassed 
with the indulgence due to the imperfections of our 
nature, and with that intelhgence and unbiassed judg- 
ment which are the true correctives of error, all that our 
responsibility demands is that the public good should be 
the measure of our views, dictating aUke their frank ex- 
pression and honest maintenance. 

In the message which was presented to Congress at 



226 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

the opening of its present session, I endeavored to exhibit 
briefly my views upon the important and highly interest- 
ing subject to which our attention is now to be directed. 
I was desirous of presenting to the representatives of the 
several states in Congress assembled, the inquiry Avhether 
some mode could not be devised which would reconcile 
the diversity of opinion concerning the powers of this 
government over the subject of internal improvements, 
and the manner in which these powers, if conferred by 
the constitution, ought to be exercised. The act w^iich I 
am called upon to consider has therefore been passed 
with a knowledge of my views on this question, as these 
are expressed in the message referred to. In that docu- 
ment the followino- suo-o-estion will be found : — 

" After the extinction of the public debt it is not pro- 
bable that any adjustment of the tariff upon principles 
satisfactory to the people of the Union will, until a remote 
period, if ever, leave the government without a consider- 
able surplus in the treasury beyond what may be required 
for its current service. As, then, the period approaches 
when the application of the revenue to the payment of 
debts will cease, the disposition of the surplus will pre- 
sent a subject for the serious deliberation of Congress; 
and it may be fortunate for the country that it is yet to 
be decided. Considered in connexion with the difficulties 
which have heretofore attended appropriations for pur- 
poses of internal improvement, and with those which this 
experience tells us will certainly arise, whenever power 
over such subjects may be exercised by the general gov- 
ernment, it is hoped that it may lead to the adoption of 
some plan which will reconcile the diversified interests of 
the states, and strengthen the bonds which unite them. 
Every member of the Union, in peace and in war, will be 
benefited by the improvement of inland navigation, and 
the construction of highways in the several states. Let 
us then endeavor to obtain this benefit in a mode which 
will be satisfactory to all. That hitherto adopted has 
been deprecated as an infraction of the constitution by 
many of our fellow-citizens, while by others it has been 
viewed as inexpedient. All feel that it has been employed 



MAYSVILLE ROAD VETO. 227 

at the expense of harmony in the legislative councils." 
And adverting to the constitutional power of Congress to 
make what I consider a proper disposition of the surplus 
revenue, I subjoin the following remarks : " To avoid these 
evils it appears to me that the most safe, just, and federal 
disposition which could be made of the surphis revenue 
would be its apportionment among the several states 
according to their ratio of representation ; and sho'ild this 
measure not be found warranted by the constitution, that 
it would be expedient to propose to the states an amend- 
ment authorizing it." 

The constitutional power of the federal government to 
construct or promote works of internal impr jvement pre- 
sents itself in two points of view: the first, as bearing 
upon the sovereignty of the states within whose limits 
their execution is contemplated, if jurisdiction of the ter- 
ritory which they may occupy be claimed as necessary to 
their preservation and use ; the second, as asserting the 
simple right to appropriate money from the national trea- 
sury in aid of such works, Avhen undertaken by state 
authority surrendering the claim of jurisdiction. In the 
first view, the question of power is an open one, and can 
be decided without the embarrassment attending the 
other, arising from the practice of the government. Al- 
though frequently and strenuously attempted, the power 
to this extent has never been exercised by the govern- 
ment in a single instance. It does not, in my opinion, 
possess it ; and no bill, therefore, which admits it can re- 
ceive my official sanction. 

But in the other view of the power the question is dif- 
ferently situated. The ground taken at an early period 
of the government was, "that whenever money has been 
raised by the general authority, and is to be applied to a 
particular measure, a question arises whether the particu- 
lar measure be within the enumerated authorities vested 
in Congress. If it be, the money requisite for it may be 
applied to it; if not, no such apphcation can be made." 
The document in which this principle was first advanced 
is of deservedly high authority, and should be held in 
grateful remembrance for its immediate agency in rescu- 



228 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

ing tlie country from mucli existing abuse, and for its 
conservative effect upon some of the most valuable prin- 
ciples of the constitution. The symmetry and purity of 
the government would doubtless have been better pre- 
served if this restriction of the power of appropriation 
could have been maintained without weakening its ability 
to fulfil the general objects of its institution — an effect 
so likely to attend its admission, notwithstanding its appa- 
rent fitness, that every subsequent administration of the 
government, embracing a period of thirty out of the forty- 
two years of its existence, has adopted a more enlarged 
construction of the power. It is not my purpose to detain 
you by a minute i-ecital of the acts which sustain this 
assertion, but it is proper that I should notice some of the 
most prominent, in order that the reflections which they 
suggest to my mind may be better understood. 

In the administration of Mr. Jefferson we have two 
examples of the exercise of the right of appropriation, 
which, in the considerations that led to their adoption, 
and in their effects upon the pubhc mind, have had a 
greater agency in marking the character of the power, 
than any subsequent events. I allude to the payment of 
fifteen miUions of dollars for the purchase of Louisiana, 
and to the original appropriation for the construction of 
the Cumberland road; the latter act deriving much weight 
from the acquiescence and approbation of three of the 
most powerful of the original members of the confederacy, 
expressed through their respective legislatures. Although 
the circumstances of the latter case may be such as to 
deprive so much of it as relates to the actual construction 
of the road of the force of an obligatory exposition of the 
constitution, it must nevertheless be admitted that so far 
as the mere appropriation of money is concerned, they 
present the principle in its most imposing aspect. No less 
than twenty-three different laws have been passed through 
all the forms of the constitution, appropriating upward of 
two millions and a half of dollars, out of the national trea- 
sury, in support of that improvement, with the approba- 
tion of every president of the United States, including my 
predecessor, since its commencement. 



MATSVILLE ROAD VETO 229 

Independently of the sanction given to appropriations 
for the Cumberhind and other roads and objects, under 
this power, the administration of Mr. Madison was charac- 
terized by an act which furnishes the strongest evidence 
of his opinion of its extent. A bill was passed through 
both houses of Congress and presented for his approval, 
" setting apart and pledging certain funds for constructing 
roads and canals, and improving the navigation of water- 
courses, in order to facilitate, promote, and give security 
to internal commerce among the several states, and to 
render more easy and less expensive the means and pro- 
visions for the common defence." Regarding the bill as 
asserting a power in the federal government to construct 
roads and canals within the limits of the states in which 
they were ruade, he objected to its passage on the ground 
of its unconstitutionality, declaring that the assent of the 
respective states, in the mode provided by the bill, could 
not confer the power in question ; that the only cases in 
which the consent and cession of particular states can 
extend the power of Congress are those specified and 
provided for in the constitution ; and superadding to these 
avowals his opinion that a restriction of the power " to 
provide for the common defence and general welfare" to 
cases which are to be provided for by the expenditure of 
money, would still leave within the legislative power of 
Congress all the great and most important measures of 
government, money being the ordinary and necessary 
means of carrying them into execution. I have not been 
able to consider these declarations in any other point of 
view than as a concession that the right of appropriation 
is not limited by the power to carry into effect the measure 
for which the money is asked, as was formerly contended. 
- ^ The views of Mr. Monroe upon this subject were not 
^left to inference. During his administration, a bill was 
passed through both houses of Congress, conferring the 
jurisdiction and prescribing the mode by which the fede- 
ral government should exercise it in the case of the Cum- 
berland road. He returned it with objections to its 
passage, and in assigning them took occasion to say, that 
in the early stages of the government he had inclined to 



230 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

the construction that it had no right to expend money, 
except ill tlie performance of acts authorized by the otiier 
specific grants of power, according to a strict construction 
of them ; but that on further retiection and observation, his 
mind had undergone a change; that his opinion then was : 
"that Congress have an unhmited power to raise money, 
and that in .ts appropriation they have a discretionary 
power, restricted only by the duty to appropriate it to 
purposes of common defence and of general, not local, 
national, not state, benefit;" and this was avowed to be 
the governing principle through the residue of his admin- 
istration. The views of the last administration are of such 
recent date as to render a particular reference to them 
unnecessary. It is well known that the appropriating 
power, to the utmost extent which had been claimed for 
it in relation to internal improvements, was fully recog- 
nised and exercised by it 

This brief reference to known facts will be sufficient to 
show the difficulty, if not impracticability, of bringing 
back the operations of the government to the construction 
of the constitution set up in 1793, assuming that to be its 
true reading in relation to the power under consideration; 
thus giving an admonitory proof of the force of implica- 
tion, and the necessity of guarding the constitution with 
sleepless \dgilance against the authority of precedents 
which have not the sanction of its most plainly dehned 
powers. For although it is the duty of all to look to that 
sacred instrument instead of the statute book; to repu- 
diate at all times encroachments upon its spirit, which 
are too apt to be effected bv the conjuncture of peculiar 
and facilitating circumstances ; it is not less true that the 
pubhc good and the nature of our political institutions 
require that individual differences should yield to a well- 
settled acquiescence of the people and confederate author- 
ities in particular constructions of the constitution on 
doubtful points. Not to concede this much to the spirit 
of our institutions, would impair their stabihty and defeat 
the objects of the constitution itself. 

The bill before me does not call for a more defmite 
opinion upon the particular circumstances which will war- 



MAYSVILLE flOAD VETO. 231 

rant appropriations of money by Congress to aid works 
of internal improvement ; for although the extension of 
the power to apply money beyond that of carrying into 
effect the object for which it is appropriated has, as we 
have seen, been long claimed and exercised by the federal 
government, yet such grants have always been professedly 
under the control of the general principle, that the works 
which might be thus aided should be " of a general, not 
local, national, not state, character." A disregard of this 
distinction would, of necessity, lead to the subversion of 
the federal system. That even this is an unsafe one, 
arbitrary in its nature, and liable consequently to great 
abuses, is too obvious to require the contirmation of expe- 
rience. It is, however, sufiiciently definite and imperative 
to my mind to forbid my approbation of any bill having 
the character of the one under consideration. I have 
given to its provisions all the reflection demanded by a 
just regard for the interests of those of our fellow-citizens 
who have desired its passage, and by the respect which 
is due to a co-ordinate branch of the government; but I 
am not able to view it in p,» y < ^her light than as a mea- 
toure of purely local char? .er , or. if it can be considered 
nttCiunal, that no further distinction between the appro- 
priate duties of the general and state govei-nments need 
be attempted, for there can be no local interest that may 
not with equal propriety be denominated national. It has 
no connexion with any established system of improve- 
ments; is exclusively within the limits of a state, starting 
at a point on the Ohio river, and running out sixty miles 
to an interior town ; and, even as far as the state is inter- 
ested, conferring partial instead of general advantages. 

Considei'ing the magnitude and importance of the pow- 
er, and the embarrassments to which, from the very 
nature of the thing, its exercise must necessarily be sub- 
jected, the real friends of internal improvement ought not 
to be willing to confide it to accident and chance. What 
is properly ncdional in its character or othei'wise, is an 
inquiry which is of en extremely difficult of solution. The 
appropriations of one yeaj', for an object wh.ich is con- 
sidered national, may be rendered nugatory by the refusal 



232 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

of a succeeding Congress to continue the work, on the 
ground that it is local. No aid can be derived from the 
intervention of corporations. The question regards the 
character of the work, not that of those by whom it is to 
be accomplished. Notwithstanding the union of the gov- 
ernment with the corporation, by whose immediate agency 
any work of internal improvement is carried on, the 
inquiry Avill still remain, is it national, and conducive to 
the benefit of the whole, or local, and operating only to 
the advantage of a portion of the Union ? 

But, although I might not feel it to be my official duty 
to interpose the executive veto to the passage of a bill 
appropriating money for the construction of such works 
as are authorized by the states, and are national in their 
character, I do not wish to be understood as expressing 
an opinion that it is expedient at this time for the general 
government to embark in a system of this kind; and, 
anxious that my constituents should be possessed of my 
views on this as well as on all other subjects which they 
have committed to my discretion, I shall state them 
frankly and briefly. Besides many minor considerations, 
there are tvv^o prominent views on the subject which have 
made a deep impression upon my mind, which I think 
are well entitled to your serious attention, and will, I 
hope, be maturely weighed by the people. 

From the ofl&cial communications submitted to you, it 
appears that if no adverse or unforeseen contingency 
happens in our foreign relations, and no unusual diversion 
be made of the funds set apart for the payment of the 
national debt, we may look with confidence to its entire 
extinguishment in the short period of four years. The 
extent to which this pleasing anticipation is dependent 
upon the policy which may be pursued in relation to 
measures of the character of the one now under consider- 
ation, must be obvious to all, and equally so that the 
events of the present session are well calculated to awaken 
public soHcitude upon the subject. By the statement 
from the treasury department, and those from the clerks 
of the senate and house of representatives, herewith sub- 
mitted, it appears that the bills which have passed into 



MAYSVILLE ROAD VETO. 233 

laws, and those which, in all probability, will pass before 
the adjournment of Congress, anticipate appropriations 
which, with the ordinary expenditures for the support of 
government, will exceed considerably the amount in the 
treasury for the year 1830. Thus, while we are diminish- 
incv the revenue bv a reduction of the duties on tea, coffee, 
and cocoa, the appropriations for internal improvements 
are increasing beyond the available means of the treasury ; 
and if to this calculation be added the amount contained 
in bills which are pending before the two houses, it may 
be safely afhrmed that ten millions of dollars would not 
make up the excess over the treasury receipts, unless the 
payment of the national debt be postponed, and the means 
now pledged to that object applied to those enumerated 
in these bills. Without a well-regulated system of inter- 
nal improvement, this exhausting mode of appropriation 
is not likely to be avoided, and the plain consequence must 
be, either a continuance of the national debt or a resort 
to additional taxes. 

Although many of the states, with a laudable zeal, and 
under the influence of an enlightened policy, are success- 
fully applying their separate efforts to works of this 
character, the desire to enlist the aid of the general gov- 
ernment in the construction of such as, from their nature, 
ought to devolve upon it, and to which the means of the 
individual states are inadequate, is both rational and 
patriotic ; and if that desire is not gratified now, it does 
not follow that it never will be. The general inteUigence 
and public spirit of the American people furnish a sure 
guarantee that, at the proper time, this policy will be 
made to prevail under circumstances more auspicious to 
its successful prosecution than those which now exist. 
But, great as this object undoubtedly is, it is not the only 
one which demands the fosterino- care of the P-overnment. 
The preservation and success of the repubUcan principle 
rest with us. To elevate its character and extend its 
influence rank amongst our most important duties, and 
the best means to accomplish this desirable end are those 
which will rivet the attachment of our citizens to the 
government of their choice, by the comparative lightness 



234 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

of their public burdens, and by tlie attraction which the 
superior success of its operations will present to the admi- 
ration and respect of the world. Through the favor of an 
overruling and indulgent Providence, our country is 
blessed with general prosperity, and our citizens exempted 
from the pressure of taxation Avhich other less favored 
portions of the human family are obliged to bear ; yet it is 
true that many of the taxes collected from our citizens, 
through the medium of imposts, have for a considerable 
period been onerous. In many particulars, those taxes 
have borne severely upon the laboring and less prosperous 
classes of the community, being imposed on the necessa- 
ries of life, and this, too, in cases where the burden was 
not relieved by the consciousness that it would ultimately 
contribute to make us independent of foreign nations for 
articles of prime necessity, by the encouragement of their 
growth and manufacture at home. They have been 
cheerfully borne, because they were thought to be neces- 
sary to the support of government, and the payment of 
the debts unavoidably incurred in the acquisition and 
maintenance of our national rights and privileges. But 
have we a right to calculate on the same cheerful acquies- 
cence, when it is known that the necessity for their con- 
tinuance would cease, were it not for the irregular, impro- 
vident, and unequal appropriations of the public funds ? 
Will not the people demand, as they have a right to do, 
such a prudent system of expenditure as will pay the 
debts of the Union, and authorize the reduction of every 
tax to as low a point as the w^ise observance of the neces- 
sity to protect that portion of our manufactures and labor, 
whose prosperity is essential to our national safety and 
independence, will allow^? When the national debt is 
paid, the duties upon those articles whicli we do not raise 
may be repealed with safety, and still leave, I trust, with- 
out oppression to any section of the country, an accumu- 
lating surplus fund, which may be beneficially apphed to 
some well-digested system of improvement. 

Under this view, the question, as to the manner in 
which the federal government can, or ought to embark in 
the construction of roads and canals, and the extent to 



MAYSVILLE ROAD VETa 235 

•which it may impose burdens on the people for these 
purposes, may be presented on its own merits, free of all 
disguise, and of every embarrassment except such as may 
arise from the constitution itself Assuming these suo-- 
gestions to be correct, will not our constituents require 
the observance of a course by which they can be eflfected? 
Ought they not to require it ? With the best disposition 
to aid, as far as I can conscientiously, in the furtherance of 
works of internal improvement, my opinion is, that the 
soundest views of national policy, at this time, point to 
such a course. Besides the avoidance of an evil influence 
upon the local concerns of the country, how sohd is the 
advantage which the government will reap from it in the 
elevation of its character! How gratifying the effect of 
presenting to the world the sublime spectacle of a republic, 
of more than twelve millions of happy people, in the 
forty-fourth year of her existence — after having passed 
through two protracted wars, the one for the acquisition, 
and the other for the maintenance of liberty — free from 
debt, and with all her immense resources unfettered! 
What a salutary influence would not such an exhibition 
exercise upon the cause of liberal principles and free 
government throughout the world. Would we not our- 
selves find, in its effect, an additional guarantee that our 
political institutions will be transmitted to the most remote 
posterity without decay ? A course of policy destined to 
witness events like these, can not be benefited by a legis- 
lation which tolerates a scramble for appropriations that 
have no relation to any general system of improvement, 
and whose good eft'ects must of necessity be very limited. 
In the best view of these appropriations, the abuses to 
which they lead far exceed the good which they are 
capable of promoting. They may be resorted to as artful 
expedients to shift upon the government the losses of 
unsuccessful private speculation, and thus, by ministering 
to personal ambition and self-aggrandizement, tend to sap 
the foundations of pubhc virtue, and taint the administra- 
tion of the government with a demoralizing influence. 

In the other view of the subject, and the only remain- 
ing one which it is my intention to present at tliis time, 

11 



236 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

IS involved the expediency of embarking in a systero of 
internal improvement without a previous amendment of 
the constitution, explaining and detining the p^-ecise pow- 
ers of the federal government over it. Assuming the 
right to appropriate money to aid in the construction of 
national works, to be warranted by the contemporaneous 
and continued exposition of the constitution, its sufficiency 
for the successful prosecution of them must be admitted 
by all candid minds. If we look to usage to define the 
extent of the right, that will be found so variant, and 
embracing so much that has been overruled, as to involve 
the whole subject in great uncertainty, and to render the 
execution of our respective duties in relation to it replete 
with difficulty and embarrassment. It is in regard to 
such works, and the acquisition of additional territory, 
that the practice obtained its first footing. In most if not 
all other disputed questions of appropriation, the construc- 
tion of the constitution may be regarded as unsettled, if 
the right to apply money, in the enumerated cases, is 
placed on the ground of usage. 

This subject has been one of much, and, I may add, 
painful reflection to me. It has bearings that are well 
calculated to exert a powerful influence upon our hitherto 
prosperous system of gqjk^ernment, and which, on some 
accounts, may even excite despondency in the breast of 
an American citizen. I will not detain you with profes- 
sions of zeal in the cause of internal improvements. If 
to be their friend is a virtue which deserves commenda- 
tion, our country is blest with an abundance of it ; for I 
do not suppose there is an intelligent citizen who does not 
wish to see them flourish. But though all are their 
friends, but few, I trust, pre unmindful of the means by 
which they should be promoted; none certainly are so 
degenerate as to desire their success at the cost of that 
sacred instrument, with the preservation of which is indis 
solubly bound our country's hopes. If different impres- 
sions are entertained in any quarter ; if it is expected that 
the people of this country, reckless of their constitutional 
obHgations, will prefer their local interest to the principles 
of the Union, such expectations will in the end be disap* 



MAYSVILLE ROAD VETO. 237 

pointed ; or, if it be not so, then indeed has the world but 
little to hope from the example of free government 
When an honest observance of constitutional compacts 
can not be obtained from communities like ours, it need 
not be anticipated elsewhere ; and the cause in which there 
has been so much martyrdom, and from which so much 
was expected by the friends of liberty, may be abandoned, 
and the degrading truth, that man is unfit for self-govern- 
ment, admitted. Atid tliis will be the case, if expediency 
be made a rule of construction in interpreting the consti- 
tution. Power, in no government could desire a better 
sliield for the insidious advances which it is ever ready to 
make upon the checks that are designed to restrain its 
action. 

But I do not entertain such gloomy apprehensions. If 
it be the wish of the people that the construction of roads 
and canals should be conducted by the federal govern- 
ment, it is not only highly expedient, but indispensably 
necessaiy, that a previous amendment of the constitution, 
delegating the necessary power, and deiining and restrict- 
ing its exercise with reference to the sovereighty of the 
states, should be made. Without it, nothing extensively 
useful can be effected. The right to exercise as much 
jurisdiction as is necessary to preserve the works, and to 
raise funds by the collection of tolls to keep them in repair, 
can not be dispensed with. The Cumberland road should 
be an instructive admonition of the consequences of act- 
ing without this right. Year after year, contests are 
witnessed, growing out of efforts to obtain the necessary 
appropriations for completing and repairing this useful 
work. While one Congress may claim and exercise the 
power, a succeeding one may deny it; and this fluctuation 
of opinion must be unavoidably fatal to any scheme 
which, from its extent, would promote the interests and 
elevate the character of the country. Thexexperience of 
the past has shown that the opinion of Congress is subject 
to such fluctuations. 

If it be the desire of the people that the agency of the 
federal government should be confined to the appropria- 
tion of money in aid of such undertakings, in virtue of 



238 LIFE OP JACKSON. 

state authorities, then the occasion, the manner, and the 
extent of the appropriations, should be made the subject 
of constitutional regulation. This is the more necessary, 
in order that they may be equitable among the several 
states; promote harmony between different sections of the 
Union and their representatives; preserve other parts of 
the constitution from being undermined by the exercise 
of doubtful powers, or the too great extension of those 
"which are not so; and protect the whole subject against 
the deleterious influence of combinations to carry, by 
concert, measures which, considered by themselves, might 
meet but little countenance. That a constitutional ad- 
justment of this power upon equitable principles is in the 
highest degree desirable, can scarcely be doubted; nor 
can it fail to be promoted by every sincere friend to the 
success of our political ihstitutions. In no government 
are appeals to the source of power in cases of real doubt 
more suitable than in ours. No good motive can be 
assigned for the exercise of power by the constituted 
authorities, while those for whose benefit it is to be exer- 
cised have not conferred it, and may not be willing to 
confer it. It would seem to me that an honest applica- 
tion of the conceded powers of the general government 
to the advancement of the common weal, presents a suffi- 
cient scope to satisfy a reasonable ambition. The difficul- 
ty and supposed impracticability of obtaining an amend- 
ment of the constitution in this respect is, I firmly believe, 
in a great degree unfounded. The time has never yet 
been when the patriotism and intelligence of the American 
people were not fully equal to the greatest exigency ; and 
it never w^ill, when the subject calling forth their interpo- 
sition is plainly presented to them. To do so with the 
questions involved in this bill, and to urge them to an 
early, zealous, and full consideration of their deep impor- 
tance, is, in my estimation, among the highest of our 
duties. 

A supposed connexion between appropriations for inter- 
nal improvement and the system of protecting duties, 
growing out of the anxieties of those more immediately 
interested in their success, has given rise to suggestions 



MATSVILLE ROAD VETO. 230 

which it is proper I should notice on this occasion. My 
opinions on these subjects liave never been concealed 
from those who had a right to know them. Those which 
I have entertained on the latter have frequently placed 
nie in opposition to individuals as well as communities, 
whose claims upon my friendship and gratitude are of the 
strongest character; but I trust there has been nothing 
in my public life which has exposed me to the suspicion 
of being thought capable of sacrificing my views of duty 
to private considerations, however strong they may have 
been, or deep the regrets which they are capable of 
exciting. 

As lonof as the encouraii'ement of domestic manufactures 
is directed to national ends, it shall receive from me a 
temperate but steady support. There is no necessary 
connexion between it and the system of appropriations. 
On the contrary, it appears to me that the supposition of 
their dependence upon each other is calculated to excite 
the prejudices of the public against both. The former is 
sustained on the ground of its consistency with the letter 
and spirit of the constitution, of its origin being traced to 
the assent of all the parties to the original compact, and 
of its having the support and approbation of a majority 
of the people ; on which account it is at least entitled to a 
fair experiment. The suggestions to which I have alluded 
refer to a forced continuance of the national debt, by 
means of large appropriations, as a substitute for the 
security which the system derives from the principles on 
whicli it has hitherto been sustained. Such a course 
would certainly indicate either an unreasonable distrust 
of the people, or a consciousness that the system does not 
possess sufficient soundness for its support, if left to their 
voluntary choice and its own merits. Those who suppose 
that any policy thus founded can be long upheld in this 
country, have looked upon its history with eyes very 
different from mine. This policy, hke every other, must 
abide the will of the people, who will not be likely to 
allow any device, however specious, to conceal its charac- 
ter and tendency 



240 I-n?^ 0^ JACKSON. I 

In presenting these opinions, I have spoken with the f 

freedom and candor wliich I thought tlie occasion for 
their expression called for; and now respectfully return 
the bill which has been under consideration, for your fui*- 
ther dehberation and judgment 



Message of President Jackson to the United States Senate, on retunf 
ing the hank bill with his ohjections. — July 10, 1832. 

To THE Senate : 

The bill " to modify and continue" the act entitled "An 
act to incorporate the subscribers to the Bank of the United 
Slates," was presented to me on the 4th of July instant. 
Having considered it with that solemn regard to the prin- 
ciples of the constitution which the day was calculated to 
inspire, and come to the conchision that it ought not to 
become a law, I herewith return it to the Senate, in which 
it originated, with my objections. 

A bank of the United States is, in man}- respects, con- 
venient for the government, and useful to the people. 
Entertaining this opinion, and deeply impressed with the 
belief that some of the powers and privileges possessed 
by the existing bank are unauthorized by the constitution, 
subversive of the rights of the states, and dangerous to the 
liberties of the people, I felt it my duty, at an early period 
of my administration, to call the attention of Congress to 
the practicability of organizing an institution combining all 
its advantages, and obviating these objections. I sincerely 
regret that, in the act before me, I can perceive none of 
those modifications of the bank charier which are neces- 
sary, in my opinion, to make it compatible with justice, 
with sound policy, or with the constitution of our country. 

The present corporate body, denominated the President, 
Directors, and Company of the Bank of the United States, 
will have existed, at the time this act is intended to take 



242 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

effect, twenty years. It enjoys an exclusive privilege of 
banking under the authoritv of the general government, 
a monopoly of its favor and Support, and, as a necessary 
consequence, almost a monopoly of the foreign and domes- 
tic exchange. The powers, privileges, and favors bestowed 
upon it in the original charter, by increasing the value of 
the stock far above its par value, operated as a gratuity of 
many millions to the stockholders. 

An apology may be found for the failure to guar 
against this result, in the consideration that the effect of 
the original act of incorporation could not be certainly 
foreseen at the time of its passage. The act before me 
proposes another gratuity to the holders of the same stock, 
and in many cases to the same men, of at least seven 
millions more. This donation finds no apology in any 
uncertainty as to the effect of the act. On all hands, it 
is conceded, that its passage will increase, at least twenty 
or thirty per cent, more, the market price of the stock, 
subject to the payment of the annuity of two hundred 
thousand dollars per year, secured by the act ; thus adding, 
in a moment, one-fourth to its par value. It is not our 
own citizens only who are to receive the bounty of our 
government. More than eight millions of the stock of 
this bank are held by foreigners. By this act, the Ame- 
rican republic proposes virtually to make them a present 
of some millions of dollars. For these grati^ities to foreign- 
ers, and to some of our own opulent citizens, ine act secures 
no equivalent whatever. They are the certam gains of 
the present stockholders, under the operation of this act, 
after making full allowance for the payment of the bonus. 

Every monopoly, and all exclusive privileges, are granted 
at the expense of the public, which ought to receive a fair 
equivalent. The many millions which this act proposes 
to bestow on the stockholders of the existing bank, must 
come, directly or indirectly, out of the earnings of the 
American people. It is due to them, therefore, if their 
government sell monopolies and exclusive privileges, that 
they should at least exact for them as much as they are 
worth in open market. The value of the monopoly ia 
this case may be correctly ascertained. The twenty-eight 



VETO OF THE BANK BILL. 243 

millions of stock would probably be at an advance of fifty 
per cent., and command in market at least forty-two mil- 
iions of dollars, subject to llie payment of the present bonus. 
The present value of the monopoly, therefore, is seven- 
teen millions of dollars, and this the act proposes to sell 
for three millions, payable in fifteen annual instalments, 
of two hundred thousand dollars each. 

It is not conceivable how the present stockholders can 
have any claim to the special favor of the gfovernment. 
The present corporation has enjoyed its monopoly during 
the period stipulated in the original contract. If we must 
have such a corporation, why should not the government 
sell out the wh'>le stock, and thus secure to the people the 
full market value of the privileges granted I Why should 
not Congress create and sell twenty-eight millions of 
stock, incorporating the purchasers with ali the powers 
and privileges secured in this act, and putting the pre- 
mium upon the sales into the treasury ? 

But this act do-^s not permit competition in the purchase 
of this monopoly. It seems to be predicated on the erro- 
neous idea, that the present stockholders have a prescriptive 
right, not only to the favor, but to the bounty of ihe govern- 
ment. It appears that more than a fourth part of the stock 
is held by foreigners, and the residue is held by a few 
hundred of our citizens, chiefly of the richest class; for 
their benefit does this act exclude the whole American 
people from competition in the purchase of this mono])o!y, 
and disposeof it for many millions less than it is worth. This 
seems the less excusable, because some of our citizens, not 
now stockholders, peiitioned that the door of competition 
might be opened, and offered to take a charter on terms 
much more favorable to the government and country. 

But this I'roposition, although made by men whose 
ggregate wealth is believed to be equal to all the private 
stock in the exit^ting bank, has been set aside, and the 
bounty of our government is proposed to be again bestowed 
on the few who have been fortunate enough to secure the 
stock, and, at this moment, wield the power of the existing 
institution. I cannot perceive ihe justice or policy of this 
course. If our government must sell monopolies, it would 

11* 



I 



244 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

seem to be its duty to take nothing less than their full 
value ; and if gratuities must be made once in fifteen or 
twenty years, let them not be bestowed on the subjects of 
a foreign government, nor upon a designated or favorable 
class of men in our own country. It is but justice and 
good policy, as far as the nature of the case will admit, to 
confine our favors to our own fellow-citizens, and let each 
in his turn enjoy an opportunity to profit by our bounty. 
In the bearings of the act before me upon these poinis, I 
find ample reasons why it should not become a law. 

It has been urged as an argument in favor of re-charter- 
ing the present bank, that calling in its loans will produce 
great embarrassment and distress. The lime allowed to 
close its concerns is ample, and if it has been well managed 
its pressure will be light, and heavy only in case its ma- 
nagement has been bad. If, therefore, it shall produce 
distress, the fault will be its own, and it would furnish a 
reason against renewing a power which has been so ob- 
viously abused. But will there ever be a time when this 
reason will be less powerful ? To acknowledge its force 
is to admit that the bank ought to be perpetual, and as a 
consequence, the present stockholders, and those inherit- 
ing their rights, as successors, be established a privileged 
order, clothed both with great political power, and enjoy- 
ing immense pecuniary advantages from their connection 
with the government. 

The modifications of the existing charter, proposed by 
this act, are not such, in my view, as make it consistent 
with the rights of the states, or the iibenies of the people. 
The qualification of the right of the bank to hold real 
estate, the limitation of its power to establish branches, 
and the power reserved to Congress to forbid the circula- 
tion of small notes, are restrictions comparatively of little 
value or importance. All the objectionable principles of 
the existing corporation, and most of its odious features, 
are retained without alleviation. 

The fourth section provides "that the notes or bills of 
the said corporation, although the same be, on the faces 
thereof, respectively made payable at one place only, 
shall, nevertheless, be received by the said corporation at 



VETO OF THE BANK BILL. . 245 

the bank, or at any of the offices of discount and deposit 
thereof, if tendered in hquidation or payment of any 
balance or balances due lo said corporation, or to such 
office of discount and deposit from any other incorporated 
bank." This provision secures to the state banks a legal 
privilege in the Bank of the United States, which is with- 
held from all private citizens. If a state bank in Phila- 
delphia owe the Bank of the United States, and have 
notes issued by the St. Louis Branch, it can pay the debt 
with those notes ; but if a merchant, mechanic, or other 
private citizen, be in like circumstances, he cannot by law 
pay his debt with those notes, but must sell them at a dis- 
count, or send them to St. Louis to be cashed. This boon 
conceded to the state banks, though not unjust in itself, is 
most odious, because it does not measure out equal justice 
to the high and the low, the rich and the poor. 

To the extent of its practical eflect, it is a bond of union 
among the banking establishments of the nation, erecting 
them into an interest separate from that of the people, and 
its necessary tendency is to unite the Bank of the United 
States and the state banks, in any measure which, may be 
thought conducive to their common interest. 

The ninth section of the act recognises principles of 
worse tendency than any provision of the present charter. 

ii enacts that the "cashier of the bank shall annually 
report to the Secretary of the Treasury the names of all 
stockholders who are not resident citizens of the United 
Stales ; and on the application of the treasurer of any 
state, shall make out, and transmit to such treasurer a list 
of stockholders residilig in, or citizens of such state, with 
the amount owned by each." 

Although this provision, taken in connection with a 
decision of the Supreme Court, surrenders, by its silence, 
the right of the states to tax the banking institutions created 
by this corporation, under the name of branches, through- 
out the Union, it is evidently intended to be construed as 
a concession of their right to tax that portion of the stock 
w^hich may be held by their own citizens and residents. 
In this light, if the act becomes a law, it will be under- 
stood by the states, who will probably proceed to levy a 



246 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

tax equal to that paid upon the stock of banks incorpo- 
rated by themselves. In some states that tax is now one 
per cent., either on the capital or on the shares ; and that 
may be assumed as the amount which all citizens or 
resident stockholders would be taxed under the operation 
of this act. As it is only the stock held in the states, and 
not that employed within them, which would be subject to 
taxation, and as the names of foreign stockholders are not 
to be reported to the treasurers of the states, it is obvious 
that the stock held by them will be exempt from this 
burden. Their annual profits will, therefore, be increased 
one per cent, more than the citizen stockholders ; and as 
the annual dividends of the bank may be safely estimated 
at seven per cent., the stock will be worth ten or fi!'teen 
per cent, more to foreigners than to citizens of the United 
States. To appreciate the effect which this state of things 
will produce, we must take a brief review of the opera- 
tions and present condition of the Bank of the United 
States. 

By documents submitted to Congress at the present 
session, il appears that on the Jst of January, 183:2, 
of the 28,000,000 of private stock, in the corporation, 
8,405,500 were held by foreigners, mostly of Great Britain. 
The amount of stock held in the nine Western States is 
140,200 dollars ; and in the four Southern States is 
5,628,100 dollars ; and in the Eastern and Middle States 
about 13,522,000 dollars. The profits of the bank in 
1831, as shown in a statement of Congress, were about 
3,455,598 dollars ; of this there accrued in the nine 
Western States about 1,640,048 dollars ; in the four South- 
ern States about 352,507 doflars ; and in the Middle and 
Eastern States about 1,463,041 dollars. As little stock is 
held in the West, it is obvious that the debt of the people 
in that section to the bank is principally a debt to the 
Eastern and foreign stockholders ; that the interest they 
pay upon it is carried into the Eastern Slates and into 
Europe ; and that it is a burden upon their industry, and 
a drain of their currency, which no country can bear with- 
out inconvenience and occasional distress. To meet this 
burden, and equalize the exchange operations of the bank, 



VETO OF THE BANK BILL. 247 

the amount of specie drawn from those states, tlirouirh its 
branches, within the last two years, as shown by its official 
reports, was about (>,000,00() dollars. More than half a 
million of this amount does not stop in the Eastern States, 
but passes on to Europe, to pay the dividends to the 
fon'icrn stockholders. In the principle of taxation re- 
cognised by this act, the western states find no adf^quate 
compensation for this perpetual burden on their indus- 
try, and drain of their currency. The Branch Bank at 
Mobile made last year, 95,1-10 dollars; yet, under the 
provisions of this act, the state of Alabama can raise no 
revenue from these profitable operations, because not a 
share of the stock is held by any of her citizens. Mis- 
sissippi and Missouri are in the same condition in relation 
to the branches at Natchez and St. Louis, and such, in a 
greater or less degree, is the condition of every Western 
State. The tendency of the plan of taxation which this 
act proposes, will be to place the whole United States in 
the same relation to foreign countries which the Western 
States now bear the Eastern. When, by a tax on resident 
stockholders, the stock of this bank is made worth ten or 
fifteen per cent, more to foreigners than to residents, most 
of it will inevitably leave the country. 

Thus will this provision, in its practical effect, deprive 
the Eastern as well as the Southern and Western stales of 
the means of raising a revenue from the extension of busi- 
ness and great profits of this institution. It will make 
the American people debtors to aliens, in nearly the whole 
amount due to this bank, and send across the Atlantic 
from two to five millions of specie every year, to pay the 
bank dividends. 

In another of its bearings, this provision is fraught with 
danger. Of che twenty-five directors of this bank, five 
are chosen by the goveii;ment, and twenty by the citizen 
stockholders. From all voice in these elections, the fo- 
reign stockholders are excluded by the charter. In pro- 
portion, therefore, as the stock is transferred to foreign 
holders, the extent of suffrage in the choice of directors is 
curtailed. Already is almost a third of the stock in foreign 
hands, and not represented in elections. It is constantly 



248 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

passing out of the country, and this act will accelerate its 
departure. The entire control of the institution would 
necessarily fall into the hands of a few citizen stock- 
holders, and the ease with which the object would be ac- 
complished, would be a temptation to designing men, to 
secure that control in their own hands, by monopolizing 
the remaining stock. There is danger that a president 
and directors would then be able to elect themselves from 
year to year, and without responsibility or control, managa 
the whole concerns of the bank during the existence of 
the charter. It is easy to conceive that great evils to our 
country and its institutions might flow from such a con- 
centration of power in the hands of a few men, irresponsi- 
ble to the people. 

Is there no danger to our liberty and independence in 
a bank, that, in its nature, has so little to bind it to our 
country ? The president of the bank has told us that 
most of the state banks exist by its forbearance. Should 
its influence become concentred, as it may under the 
operation of such an act as this, in the hands of a self- 
elected directory, whose interests are identified with those 
of the foreign stockholder, will there not be cause to trem- 
ble for the purity of our elections in peace, and for the 
independence of our country in vyar ? Their power would 
be great whenever they might choose to exert it; but if 
this monopoly were regularly renewed every fifteen or 
twenty years, on terms proposed by themselves, they 
might seldom in peace put forth their strength to influence 
elections or control the affairs of the nation ; but if any 
private citizen or public functionary should interpose to 
curtail its powers, or prevent a renewal ol its privileges, 
it cannot be doubted that he would be made to feel its 
influence. 

Should the stock of the bank principally pass into the 
hands of the subjects of a foreign country, and we should 
unfortunately become involved in a war with that country, 
what would be our condition ? Of the course which would 
be pursued by a bank almost wholly owned by the subjects 
of a foreign power, and managed by those whose interests, 
if not afftictions, would run in the same direction, there 



VETO OF THE BANK BILL. 249 

con be no doubt. All its operations within would be i 
aid of the hostile fleets and armies without. Coiitrolliu^ 
our currency, receiving our public moni'ys, and ho];ling 
thousands of our citizens in dependence, it would be more, 
formidable and dangerous than the naval and military 
power of the enemy. 

If we must have a bank with private stockholders, every 
onsideration of sound policy, and every impulse of Ame- 
ican feeling, admonishes that it should be purely American. 
xts stockholders should be composed exclusively of our 
own citizens, who at least ought to be friendly to our 
government, and willing to support it in times of difficulty 
and danger. So abundant is domestic capital, that com- 
petition in subscribing for the stock of local banks has 
recently led almost to riots. To a bank exclusively of 
American stockholders, possessing the powers and pri- 
vileges granted by this act, subscriptions for two hundred 
millions of dollars could be readily obtained. Instead of 
sendincr abroad the stock of the bank, in which the govern • 
ment must deposit its funds, and on which it must rely to 
sustain its credit in times of emergency, it would rather 
seem to be expedient to prohibit its sale to aliens, under 
penalty of absolute forfeiture. 

It is maintained by the advocates of the bank, that its 
constitutionality in all its features ought to be considered 
as settled by precedent, and by the decision of the Supreme 
Court. To this conclusion I cannot assent. Mere prece 
dent is a dangerous source of authority, and should not be 
regarded as deciding questions of constitutional power, 
except where the acquiescence of the people and the 
states can be considered as well settled. So far from this 
being the case on this subject, an argument against the 
bank might be based on precedent. One Congress, in 
1791, decided in favor of a bank; another, in 1811, de- 
cided against it. One Congress, in 1815, decided against 
a bank ; another, in !8in, decided in its favor. Prior to 
the present Congress, therefore, the precedents drawn 
from that source were equal. If we resort to the states, 
the expressions of legislative, judicial, and executive opi- 
nions against the bank have been probably, to those in its 



250 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

favor, as four to one. There is nothinpf in precedent, 
therefore, which, if its authority were admitted, ought to 
vveig-h in favor of the act before me. 

If the opinion of the Supreme Court covered the who.e 
ground of this act, it ought not to control the co-ordinate 
authorities of this government. The Confrress, the Execu- 
tive, and the Court, must each for itself be guided by its 
own opinion of the Constitution. Each pubhc oflicer who 
takes an oath to support the Constitution, swears that he 
will support it as he understands it, and not as it is under- 
stood by others. It is as much the duty of the House of 
Representatives, of the S^mate, and of the President, to 
decide upon the constitutionality of any bill or resolution 
which may be presented to them for passage or approval, 
as it is of the Supreme .Tudges, when it may be brought 
before them for judicial decision. The opinion of the 
Judges has no more authority over Congress than the opi- 
nion of Congress has over the Judges; and, on that point, 
the President is independent of both. The authority of 
the Supreme Court must not, therefore, be permitted to 
control the Congress or the Executive, when acting in their 
legislative capacities, but to have only such influence as 
the force of their reasoning maj'' deserve. 

But, in the case relied upon, the Supreme Court have 
not decided that all the features of this corporation are 
compatible with the Constitution. It is true that the Court 
have said that the law incorporating the bank is a consti- 
tutional exercise of power by Congress. But, takins: into 
view the whole opinion of the Court, and the reasoning by 
which they have come to that conclusion, I understand 
them to have decided that, inasmuch as a bank is an 
appropriate means of carrying into effect the enumerated 
powers of the general government, therefore the law in- 
corporating it is in accordance with that provision of the 
Constitution which declares that Congress shall have power 
"to make all laws which shall be necessary and proper 
for carrying those powers into execution." Having satis- 
fied themselves that the word " necessary," in the Consti- 
tution, means "needful," "requisite," "essential," " con- 
^icive to," and that "a bank" is a convenient, a useful, 



VETO OF THE BANK BILL. 251 

and essential instrument in the prosecution of the crovern- 
inent's "fiscal operations," they concKuJe that "to use one 
must be within the discretion ofConirrcss;" and that "the 
act to incorporate the Bank of the United States, is a law 
made in pursuance of the Constitution." " But," say they, 
" where the Jaw is not prohibited, and is really calculated 
to efTect any of the objects intrusted to the government, 
to undertake here to inquire into the degree of its necessity, 
would be to pass the line which circumscribes the judicial 
department, and to tread on legislative ground." 

The principle here affirmed is, that "the degree of its 
necessity," involving all the details of a banking institu- 
tion, is a question exclusively for legislative consideration. 
A bank is constitutional ; but it is the province of the 
legislature to determine whether this or that particular 
power, privilege, or exemption, is "necessary and proper" 
to enable the bank to discharge its duties to the govern- 
ment, and from their decision there is no appeal to the 
courts of justice. Under the decision of the Supreme 
Court, therefore, it is the exclusive province of Congress 
and the President to decide, whether the particular features 
of this act are " necessary and proper," in order to enable 
the bank to perform conveniently and efficiently the public 
duties assigned to it as a fiscal agent, and therefore con- 
stitutional ; or unnecessary and improper^ and therefore 
unconstitutional. 

Without commenting on the general principle affirmed 
by the Supreme Court, let us examine the details of this 
act, in accordance with the rule of legislative action which 
they have laid down. It will be found that many of the 
powers and privileges conferred orv it cannot be supposed 
necessary for the purpose for which it is proposed to be 
created, and are not, therefore, means necessary to attain 
the end in view, and consequently \aot justified by the 
Constitution. 

The original act of corporation, section twenty-first, 
enacts " that no other bank shall b^ established by any 
future law of the United States, durmg the .continuance 
of the corporation hereby created, fo' which the faith of 
the United States is hereby pledged Provided, Congress 



252 LI^E OF JACKbON'. 

may renew existing charters for banks within the District 
of Columbia, not increasing the capital thereof, and may 
also establish any other bank or banks in said District, 
with capitals not exceeding, in the whole, six millions of 
dollars, if they shall deem it expedient." This provision 
IS continued in force, by the act before me, fifteen years 
from the 3d of March, 1836. 

If Congress possessed the power to establish one bank, 
they had power to establish more than one, if, in their 
opinion, two or more banks had been "necessary" to faci- 
litate the execution of the powers delegated to them by the 
Constitution. If they possessed the power to establish a 
second bank, it was a power derived from the Constitu- 
tion, to be exercised from time to time, and at any time 
when the interests of the country or the emergencies 
of the government might make it expedient. It was pos- 
sessed by one Congress as well as another, and by all 
Congresses alike, and alike at every session. But the 
Congress of 1816 have taken it away from their successors 
for twenty years, and the Congress of 1832 proposed to 
abohsh it for fifteen years more. It cannot be " necessary" 
or " proper" for Congress to barter away, or divest them- 
selves of any of the powers vested in them by the Con- 
stitution, to be exercised for the public good. It is not 
" necessary" to the efficiency of the bank, nor is it ••' pro- 
per" in relation to themselves and their successors. They 
may properly use the discretion vested in them, but they 
may not limit the discretion of their successors. This 
restriction on themselves, and grant of a monopoly to the 
bank, is therefore unconstitutional. 

In another point of view, this provision is a palpable 
attempt to amend the Constitution by an act of legislation. 
'^I'he Constitution declares that " the Congress shall have 
power" to exercise exclusive legislation, in all cases what- 
soever, over the District of Columbia. Its constitutional 
power, therefore, to establish banks in the District of Co- 
lumbia, and increase their capital at will, is unlimited and 
uncontrollable by any other power than that which gave 
authority to the Constitution. Yet this act declares that 
Congress shall not increase the capital of exis:ing banks 



VETO OF THE BANK BILL. 253 

nor create other banks with capitals exceedingf in the 
whole six millions of dollars. The Constitution declares 
that Congress ahall have power to exercise exclusive 
legislation over this district, '•'' in all canes what soever ;'''' 
and this act declares they shall not. Which is the su- 
preme law of the land ? This provision cannot be ^'■neces- 
sary,'''' or '''■proper,''^ or constitutional, unless the absurdity 
be admitted, that whenever it be " necessary and proper," 
n the opinion of Congress, they have a right to barter 
way one portion of the powers vested in them by the 
Constitution, as a means of executing the rest. 

On two subjects only does the Constitution recognise in 
Congress the power to grant exclusive privilejres or mo- 
nopolies. It declares that "Congress shall have power 
to promote the progress of science and useful arts, by 
securing, for limited times, to authors and inventors, the 
exclusive right to their respective writings and dis- 
coveries." Out of this express delegation of power, have 
grown our laws of patents and copyrights. As the Con- 
stitution expressly delegates to Congress the power to 
grant exclusive privileges, in these cast s, as the means 
of executing the substantive power "to promote the pro- 
gress of science and useful arts," it is consistent with the 
fair rules of construction to conclude, that such a power 
was not intended to be granted as a means of accomplish- 
ing any other end. On every other subject which comes 
within the scope of congressional power, there is an ever- 
hving discretion in the use of proper means, which can- 
not be restricted or abolished without an amendment of 
the Constitution. Every act of Congress, therefore, which 
attemj)ts, by grants of monopolies, or sale of exclusive 
privileges ibr a limited time, or a time without limit, to 
restrict or extinguish its own discretion in the choice of 
means to execute its delegated powers, is equivalent to a 
legislative amendment of the Constitution, and palpably 
unconstitutional. 

'I'his act authorizes and encourages transfers of its stock 
to foreigners, and grants thein an exemption frt'm all state 
and national taxation. So far from being " necessary and 
proper" that the bank should possess this power, to la..;. j 



1164 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

it a safe and efficient a2:ent of the jrovernment in its fiscal 
operations, it is calculated to convert the Bank of the 
United States into a foreign bank, to impoverish our 
peO})le in time of peace, to disseminate a foreign influ- 
ence through every section of the republic, and, in wdv^ to 
endanger our independence. 

The several stales reserved the power, at the formation 
of the Constitution, to regulate and control titles and trans- 
fers of real property ; and most, if not all of them, have 
laws disqualifying aliens from acquiring or holding lands 
within their limits. But this act, in disregard of the un- 
doubted right of the states to prescribe such disqualifica- 
tions, gives to aliens, stockholders in this bank, an interest 
and title, as members of the corporation, to all the real 
property it may acquire within any of the slates of this 
Union. This privilege granted to aliens is not "neces- 
sary" to enable the bank to perform its public duties, nor 
in any sense "proper," because it is virtually subversive 
of the rights of the states. 

The government of the United States have no constitu- 
tional power to purchase lands within the states, except 
*' for the erection of forts, magazines, arsenals, dock-yards, 
and other needful buildings," and even for these objects, 
only " by the consent of the legislature of the state in 
which the same shall be." By making themselves stock- 
holders in the bank, and granting to the corporation the 
power to purchase lands for other purposes, they assume 
a power not granted in the Constitution, and grant to 
others what they do not themselves possess. It is not 
necessar}'^ to the receiving, safe-keeping, or transmission 
of the funds of government, that the bank should possess 
this power, and it is not proper that Congress should thus 
enlarge the powers delegated to them in the Constiiution. 

The old Bank of the United States possessed a cafiiial 
of only eleven million of dollars, which was found fully 
sufficient to enable it, with despatch and safo'y, to {)er 
form all the functions required of it by the gov".rnment 
The capital of the present bank is thirty-five millions o'. 
dollars, at least twenty-four more than experience has 
proved to be necessary to enable a bank to perforin itg 



VETO OF THE BANK BILL. 255 

public functions. The public debt which existed during 
the period of the old bank, and on the establishment of 
the new, has bt-en nearly paid off, and our revenue will 
soon be reduced. This increase of capital is, therefore, 
not for public, but for private purposes. 

The government is the only "proper" judge where 
its agenis should reside and keep their offices, because it 
best knows where their presence will be "necessary." 
It cannot, therefore, be "necessary" or "proper" to au- 
thorize the bank to locate branches where it pleases, to 
perform the public service without consulting the govern- 
ment, and contrary to its will. The principle laid down 
by the Supreme Court, concedes that Congress cannot 
establish a bank for purposes of private speculation and 
gain, but only as a means of executing the delegated 
powers of the general government. By the same princi- 
ple, a branch bank cannot constitutionally be established 
for other than 'public purposes. The power which this 
act gives to establish two branches in any state, without 
the injunction or request of the government, and for other 
than public purposes, is not "necessary" to the due exe- 
cution of the powers delegated to Congress. 

'i'he bonus which is exacted from the bank, is a con- 
fession upon the face of the act, that the powers granted 
by it are greater than are " necessary" to its character of 
a fiscal agent. The government does not tax its officers 
and agents for the privilege of serving it. The bonus 
of a million and a half, required by the original charter, 
and that of three millions proposed b}^ this act, are not 
e'xacted for the privilege of giving "the necessary facili- 
ties for transferring the public funds from place to place, 
within the United States or the territories thereof, and for 
distributing the same in payment of the public creditors, 
without charging commission, or claiming allowance on 
account of the difference of exchange," as required by 
the act of incorporation, but for something more beneficial 
to the stockholders. The original act declares, that it (the 
bonus) is granted "in consideration of the exclusive pri- 
vileges and benefits conferred by this act upon the said 
bank ;" and the act before me declares it to be " in con- 



256 LITE OF JACKSON. 

sideration of the exclusive benefits and privileges con- 
linutd by this act to the said corporation for fiftet n years 
as aforesaid." It is, therefore, for "exclusive privileges 
and benefits," conferred for their own use and emolument, 
and not for the advantage of the government, that a bonus 
is exacted. These surplus powers, for which the bank 
is required to paj^ cnnnot surely be " necessar}'," to make 
it the fiscal agent of the treasury. If they were, the ex 
action of a bonus for them would not be "proper." 

It is maintained by some, that the bank is a means of 
executing the constitutional power "to coin money, and 
regulate the value thereof." Congress have established 
a mint to coin money, and passed laws to regulate the 
value thereof. The money so coined, with its value so 
regulated, and such foreign coins as Congress may adopt, 
are the only currency known to the Constitution. But if 
they have other power to regulate the currency, it was 
conferred to be exercised by themselves, and not to be 
transferred to a corporation. If the bank be establishea 
for that purpose, with a charter unalterable without its 
consent. Congress, have parted with their power for a 
term of years, during which the Constitution is a dead 
letter, h is neither necessary nor proper to transfer its 
legislative powers to such a bank, and therefore unconsti- 
tutional. 

By its silence, considered in connection with the de- 
cision of the Supreme Court, in the case of McCuiloch 
against the State of Maryland, this act takes from the 
states the power to tax a portion of the banking business 
carried on within their limits, in subversion of one of the 
strongest barriers which secured them ajjainst federal en- 
croachmenis. Bankinii:, like farmins:, manufacturincr, or 
any oihtr occupation or profession, is a business, the right 
to follow which is not originally derived from the laws. 
Every citizen, and every company of citizens, in all of 
our stales, possessed the right, until the state legislatures 
deemed it good policy to prohibit private banking by law. 
If the prohibitory state laws were now repealed, every 
citizen would again possess the right. The state banks 
are a qualified restoration of the right which has been 



VETO OF THE BANK BILL. 257 

tal<en away by the laws against banking, guarded by such 
provisions and limitations as, in the opinion of the state 
legislatures, the public interest requires. These corpo- 
rations, unless there be an exemption in their charier, are, 
like private bankers and banking companies, subject to 
state taxation. The manner in which these taxes shall 
be laid, depends wholly on legislative discretion. It may 
e upon the bank, upon the stock, upon the profits, or in 
cny other mode which the sovereign power shall will. 

Upon the formation of the Constitution, the states guarded 
their taxing power with peculiar jealousy. They sur- 
rendered it only as it regards imports and exports. In 
relation to every other subject within their jurisdiction, 
whether persons, property, business, or professions, it was 
secured in as ample a manner as it was before possessed. 
All persons, though United States' officers, are liable to a 
poll tax by the states within which they reside. The lands 
of the United States are liable to the usual land tax, ex- 
cept in the new states, from whom agreements, that they 
will not tax unsold lands, are exacted when they are 
adnn'lted into the Union : horses, wagons, any beasts or 
vehicles, tools or property, belonging to private citizens, 
though etnployed in the service of the United States, are 
subject to stale taxation. Every private business, whether 
carried on by an officer of the general government or not, 
whether it be mixed with public concerns or not, even if 
it be carried on by the government of the United Slates 
itself, separately or in partnership, falls wiihin the scope 
of the taxing povver of the slate. Nothinir comes more 
fully within it than banks, and the business of banking, by 
whomsoever instituted and carried on. Over this whole 
subjt'Ct-matler, it is just as absolute, unlimited, and uncon- 
trollable, as if the Constitution had never been adopted, 
because, in the formation of that instrument, it was reserved 
without qualification. 

The principle is conceded, that the states cannot right- 
fully tax the operations of the general government. They 
carmot tax the money of the government deposited in the 
state banks, nor the agency of those banks in remitting 
it; but will any man maintain that their mere selection to 



258 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

perform this public service for the general government, 
would exempt the state banks, and their ordinary business, 
from state taxation ? Had the United States, instead of 
establishing a bank at Philadelphia, employed a private 
banker to keep and transmit their funds, would it have 
deprived Pennsylvania of the right to tax his bank and 
his usual banking operations ? It will not be pretended. 
Upon what principle, then, are the banking establishments 
of the Bank of the United States, and their usual banking 
operations, to be exempted from taxation ? It is not their 
public agency, or the deposits of the government, which 
the states claim a right to tax, but their banks and their 
banking powers, instituted and exercised within state 
jurisdiction for their private emolument — those powers 
and privileges for which they pay a bonus, and which the 
states tax in their own banks. The exercise of these 
powers within a state, no matter by whom or under what 
authority, whether by private citizens in their original 
right, by corporate bodies created by the states, by foreign- 
ers, or the agents of foreign governments located within 
their limits, forms a legitimate object of state taxation. 
From this, and like sources, from the persons, property, 
and business, that are found residing, located, or carried 
on, under their jurisdiction, must the states, since the 
surrender of their right to raise a revenue from imports 
and exports, draw all the money necessary for the support 
of their governments, and the maintenance of their inde- 
pendence. There is no more appropriate subject of taxa- 
tion than banks, bankmg, and bank stock, and none to 
which the stales ought more pertinaciously to cling. 

It cannot be necessary to the character of the bank, as 
a fiscal agent of the government, that its private business 
should be exempted from that taxation to which all tha 
state banks are liable ; nor can I conceive it " proper" tha 
the substantive and most essential powers reserved by the 
states shall be thus attacked and annihilated as a means 
of executing the powers delegated to the general govern- 
ment. It may be safely assumed that none of those sages 
who had an agency in forming or adopting our Constitu- 
tion, ever imagined that any portion of the taxing power 



I 



VETO OF THE BANK BILL. 259 

of the states, not prohibited to them, nor delegated to 
Congress, was to be swept away and annihilated, as a 
means of executing certain powers delegated to Congress. 
If our power over means is so absolute, that the Supreme 
Court will not call in question the constitutionality of an 
act of Congress, the subject of which is "not prohibited, 
and is really calculated to effect any of the objects intrusted 
to the government," although, as in the case before me, 
it takes away powers expressly granted to Congress, and 
rights scrupulously reserved to the states, it becomes us 
to proceed in our legislation with the utmost caution. 
Though not directly, our own powers and the rights of 
the states may be indirectly legislated away in the use of 
means to execute substantive powers. We may not enact 
that Congress shall not have the power of exclusive legis- 
lation over the District of Columbia ; but we may pledge 
the faith of the United States, that, as a means of execut- 
ing other powers, it shall not be exercised for twenty years, 
or for ever ! We may not pass an act prohibiting the 
states to tax the banking business carried on within their 
limits; but we may, as a means of executing our powers 
over other objects, place that business in the hands of our 
agents, and then declare it exempt from state taxation in 
their hands ! Thus may our own powers, and the rights 
of the states, which we cannot directly curtail or invade, 
be frittered away and extinguished in the use of means 
employed by us to execute other powers. That a Bank 
of the United States, competent to all the duties which may 
be required by the government, might be so organized as 
not to infringe on our own delegated powers, or the 
reserved rights of the states, I do not entertain a doubt. 
Had the Executive been called upon to furnish the pro- 
ject of such an institution, the duty would have been 
cheerfully performed. In the absence of such a call, it 
was obviously proper that he should confine himself to 
pointing out those prominent features in the act presented, 
which, in his opinion, make it incompatible with the Con- 
stitution and sound policy. A general discussion will now 
take place, eliciting new light, and settling important 
principles ; and a new Congress, elected in the midst of 

12 



260 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

such discussion, and furnishing an equal representation 
of the people, according to the last census, will bear to 
the Capitol the verdict of public opinion, and, I doubt not, 
bring this important question to a satisfactory result. 

Under such circumstances, the bank comes forward and 
asks a renewal of its charter for a term of fifteen years, 
upon conditions which not only operate as a gratuity to 
the stockholders, of many millions of dollars, but will 
sanction any abuses, and legalize any encroachments. 

Suspicions are entertained, and charges are made, of 
gross abuse and violation of its charter. An investigation, 
unwiUingly conceded, and so restricted in time as neces- 
sarily to make it incomplete and unsatisfactory, disclosed 
enough to excite suspicion and alarm. In the practices 
of the principal bank, partially unveiled in the absence 
of important witnesses, and in numerous charges confi- 
dently made, and as yet wholly uninvestigated, there was 
enough to induce a majority of the committee of investiga- 
tion, a committee which was selected from the most able 
and honorable members of the House of Representatives, 
to recommend a suspension of farther action upon the 
bill, and a prosecution of the inquiry. As the charter 
had yet four years to run, and as a renewal now was not 
necessary to the successful prosecution of its business, it 
was to have been expected that the bank itself, conscious 
of its purity, and proud of its character, would have with- 
drawn its apphcation for the present, and demanded the 
severest scrutiny into all its transactions. In their de- 
clining to do so, there seems to be an additional reason why 
the functionaries of the governnient should proceed with 
less haste, and more caution, in the renewal of their mo- 
nopoly. 

The bank is professedly established as an agent of the 
executive branches of the government, and its constitu- 
tionality is maintained on that ground. Neither upon the 
propriety of present action, nor upon the provisions of this 
act, was the Executive consulted. It has had no opportu- 
nity to say, that it neither needs nor wants an agent clothed 
with such powers, and favored by such exemptions. There 
is nothing in its legitimate functions which makes it neces- 



VETO OF THE BANK BILL. 261 

sary or proper. Whatever interest or influence, whether 
public or private, has given birth to this act, it cannot be 
found either in the wishes or necessities of the Executive 
Department, b}'" which present action is deemed premature, 
and the powers conferred upon its agent not only unneces- 
sary, but dangerous to the government and country. 

It is to be regretted that the rich and powerful too often 
bend the acts of government to their selfish purposes. 
Distinctions in society will always exist under every just 
government. Equality of talents, of education, or of wealth, 
cannot be produced by human institutions. In the full 
enjoyment of the gifts of Heaven, and the fruits of supe- 
rior industry, economy, and virtue, every man is equally 
entitled to protection by law. But when the laws under- 
take to add to these natural and just advantages artificial 
distinctions — to grant titles, gratuities, and exclusive pri- 
vileges — to make the rich richer, and the potent more 
powerful — the humble members of society, the farmers, 
mechanics, and laborers, who have neither the time nor 
the means of securing like favors to themselves, have 
a right to complain of the injustice of their government. 
There are no necessary evils in government. Its evils 
exist only in its abuses. If it would confine itself to equal 
protection, and, as Heaven does its rains, shower its favors 
alike on the high and the low, the rich and the poor, it 
would be an unquaUfied blessing. In the act before me, 
there seems to be a wide and unnecessary departure from 
these just principles. 

Nor is our government to be maintained, or our Union 
preserved, by invasions of the rights and powers of the 
several states. In thus attempting to make our general 
government strong, we make it weak. Its true strength 
consists in leaving individuals and states, as much as pos- 
ible, to themselves ; in making itself felt, not in its power, 
but in its beneficence — not in its control, but in its protec- 
tion — not in binding the states more closely to the centre, 
but leaving each to move, unobstructed, in its proper orbit. 

Experience should teach us wisdom. Most of the dif- 
ficulties our government now encounters, and most of the 
dangers which impend over our Union, have sprung from 



262 LIFE OP JACKSON. 

an abandonment of the legitimate objects of government 
by our national legislation, and the adoption of such prin- 
ciples as are imbodied in this act. Mnny of our rich men 
have not been coDtent with equal protection and equal 
benefits, but have besought us to make them richer by acts 
of Congress. By attempting to gratify their desires, we 
have, in the results of our legislation, arrayed section 
against section, interest against interest, and man against 
man, in a fearful commotion, which threatens to shake the 
foundations of our Union. It is time to pause in our 
career, to review our principles, and, if ])ossible, revive 
that devoted patriotism, and spirit of compromise, which 
distinguished the sages of the Revolution and the fathers 
of our Union. If we cannot, at once, in justice to inte- 
rests vested under improvident legislation, make our go- 
vernment what it ought to be, we can, at least, take a 
stand against all new grants of monopolies and exclusive 
privileges, against any prostitution of our government to 
the advancement of the few at the expense of the many, 
and in favor of compromise and gradual reform in our 
code of laws and system of pohtical economy. 

I have now done my duty to my country. If sustained 
by my fellow-citizens, I shall be grateful and happy : if 
not, I shall find in the motives which impel me, ample 
grounds for contentment and peace. In the difficulties 
which surround us, and the dangers which threaten our 
institutions, there is cause for neither dismay or alarm. 
For relief and deHverance, let us firmly rely on that kind 
Providence which, I am sure, watches with peculiar care 
over the destinies of our republic, and on the intelligence 
and wisdom of our countrymen. Through His abundant 
goodness, and their patriotic devotion, our liberty and 
Union will be preserved. 



PROCLAMATION. 263 



Proclamation on the Nullijtcation Question. — December 11, 1832. 

Whereas, a Convention assembled in the State of South 
Carolina, having- passed an ordinance by which they 
declare, "That the several acts and parts of acts of the 
Congress of the United States, purporting- to be laws for 
the imposing of duties and imposts on the importation of 
foreign commodities, and now having actual operation and 
effect within the United States, and more especially," two 
acts for the same purpose, passed on the 29th of May, 
1828, and on the 14th of July, 1832, "are unauthorized 
by the Constitution of the United States, and violate the 
true meaning and intent thereof, and are null and void, 
and no law," nor binding on the citizens of that state or 
its officers : and by the said ordinance, it is further de- 
clared to be unlawful for any of the constituted authorities 
of the state, or of the United States, to enforce the payment 
of the duties imposed by the said acts within the same 
state, and that it is the duty of the legislature to pass 
such laws as may be necessary to give full effect to the 
said ordinance : 

And whereas, by the said ordinance, it is further or- 
dained, that in no case, of law or equity, decided in the 
courts of said state, wherein shall be drawn in question 
the validity of the said ordinance, or of the acts of the 
legislature that may be passed to give it effect, or of the 
said laws of the United States, no appeal shall be allowed 
to the Supreme Court of the United States, nor shall any 
copy of the record be permitted or allowed for that pur- 
pose, and that any person attempting to take such appeal 
shall be punished as for a contempt of court: 

And, finally, the said ordinance declares, that the people 
9f South Carolina will maintain the said ordinance at every 
Qazard ; and that they will consider the passage of any 



264 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

act by Congress, abolishing or closing the ports of the said 
state, or otherwise obstructing the free ingress or egress 
of vessels to and from the said ports, or any other act of 
the federal government to coerce the state, shut up her 
ports, destroy or harass her commerce, or to enforce the 
said acts otherwise than through the civil tribunals of 
the country, as inconsistent with the longer continuance 
of South Carolina in the Union ; and that the people of 
the said state will thenceforth hold themselves absolved 
from all further obligation to maintain or preserve their 
political connection with the people of the other states, 
and will forthwith proceed to organize a separate govern- 
ment, and do all other acts and things which sovereign 
and independent states may of right do : 

And whereas, the said ordinance prescribes to the 
people of South Carolina a course of conduct, in direct 
violation of their duty as citizens of the United States, 
contrary to the laws of their country, subversive of its 
Constitution, and having for its object the destruction of 
the Union — that Union, which, coeval with our political 
existence, led our fathers, without any other ties to unite 
them than those of patriotism and a common cause, through 
a sanguinary struggle to a glorious independence — that 
sacred Union, hitherto inviolate, which, perfected by our 
happy Constitution, has brought us, by the favor of Heaven, 
to a state of prosperity at home, and high consideration 
abroad, rarely, if ever, equalled in the history of nations: 
To preserve this bond of our political existence from de- 
struction, to maintain inviolate this state of national honor 
and prosperity, and to justify the confidence my felloiv- 
ciiizens have reposed in me, I, Andrew Jackson, Presi- 
dent of the United States, have thought proper to issue 
this my Proclamation, stating my views of the Constitu- 
tion and laws applicable to the measures adopted by the 
Convention of South Carolina, and to the reasons they 
have put forth to sustain them, declaring the course which 
duty will require me to pursue, and, appealing to the 
understanding and patriotism of the people, warn them of 
the consequences that must inevitably result from an oU- 
servance of the dictates of the CoavenUon. 



PROCLAMATION. 265 

Strict duty would require of me nothing more than the 
exercise of those powers with which I am now, or may 
hereafter be invested, for preserving the peace of the Union, 
and for the execution of the laws. But the imposing 
aspect which opposition has assumed in this case, by 
clothing itself with state authority, and the deep interest 
which the people of the United States must all feel in 
preventing a resort to stronger measures, while there is a 
hope that any thing will be yielded to reasoning and remon- 
strance, perhaps demand, and will certainly justify, a full 
exposition to South Carolina and the nation, of the views 
I entertain of this important question, as well as a distinct 
enunciation of the course which my sense of duty will 
require me to pursue. 

The ordinance is founded, not on the indefeasible right 
of resisting acts which are plainly unconstitutional and too 
oppressive to be endured ; but on the strange position that 
any one state may not only declare an act of Congress 
void, but prohibit its execution ; that they may do this 
consistently with the Constitution ; that the true construc- 
tion of that instrument permits a state to retain its place 
in the Union, and yet be bound by no other of its laws 
than it may choose to consider constitutional. It is true, 
they add, that to justify this abrogation of a law, it must 
be palpably contrary to the Constitution ; but it is evident, 
that to give the right of resisting laws of that description, 
coupled with the uncontrolled right to decide what laws 
deserve that character, is to give the power of resisting 
all laws. For, as by the theory, there is no appeal, the 
reasons alleged by the state, good or bad, must prevail. 
If it should be said that public opinion is a sufficient 
check against the abuse of this power, it may be asked 
why it is not deemed a sufficient guard against the pas- 
sage of an unconstitutional act by Congress. There is, 
however, a restraint in this last case, which makes the 
assumed power of a state more indefensible, and which 
does not exist in the other. There are two appeals from 
an unconstitutional act passed by Congress — one to the 
judiciary, the other to the people and the states. There 
is no appeal from the state decision in theory, and the 



266 LIFE OP JACKSON. 

practical illustration shows that the courts are closed 
against an application to review it, both judge and jurors 
being sworn to decide in its favor. But reasoning on this 
subject is superfluous, when our social compact in express 
terms declares, that the laws of the United States, its 
Constitution and treaties made under it, are the supreme 
law of the land — and for greater caution adds, " that the 
judges in every state shall be bound thereby, any thing 
in the Constitution or laws of any state to the contrary 
notwithstanding." And it may be asserted without fear 
of refutation, that no federative government could exist 
without a similar provision. Look for a moment to the 
consequences. If South Carohna considers the revenue 
laws unconstitutional, and has a right to prevent their 
execution in the port of Charleston, there would be a 
clear constitutional objection to their collection in every 
other port, and no revenue could be collected anywhere ; 
for all imposts must be equal. It is no answer to repeat, 
that an unconstitutional law is no law, so long as the ques- 
tion of its legality is to be decided by the state itself; for 
every law operating injuriously upon any local interest, 
will be perhaps thought, and certainly represented, as un- 
constitutional, and, as has been shown, there is no appeal. 
If this doctrine had been established at an earlier day, 
the Union would have been dissolved in its infancy. The 
excise law in Pennsylvania, the embargo and non-inter- 
course law in the Eastern States, the carriage tax in Vir- 
ginia, were ah deemed unconstitutional, and were more 
unequal in their operation than any of the laws now com- 
plained of ; but fortunately none of those states discovered 
that they had the right now claimed by South Carolina, 
The war into which we were forced, to support the dig- 
nity of the nation and the rights of our citizens, might 
have ended in defeat and disgrace, instead of victory and 
honor, if the states who supposed it a ruinous and uncon- 
stitutional measure, had thought they possessed the right 
of nullifying the act by which it was declared, and deny- 
ing supplies for its prosecution. Hardly and unequally 
as those measures bore upon several members of the 
Union, to the legislatures of none did this efficient aj»d 



PROCLAMATION. 267 

peaceable remedy, as it is called, suggest itself. The 
discovery of this important feature in our Constitution 
was reserved for the present day. To the statesmen of 
South Carolina belongs the invention, and upon the citi- 
zens of that state will unfortunately fall the evil of reduc- 
ing it to practice. 

If the doctrine of a state veto upon the laws of the Union 
carries with it internal evidence of its impracticable ab- 
surdity, our constitutional history will also afford abundant 
proof that it would have been repudiated with indignation, 
had it been proposed to form a feature in our government. 

In our colonial state, although dependent on another 
power, we very early considered ourselves as connected 
by common interest with each other. Leagues were 
formed for common defence, and before the Declaration 
of Independence we were known in our aggregate cha- 
racter as the UNITED colonies of America. That decisive 
"ind important s:ep was taken jointly. We declared our- 
selves a nation, by a joint, not by several acts, and when, 
the terms of confederation were reduced to form, it was in 
that of a solemn league of several states by which they 
agreed, tliat they would collectively form one nation for 
the purpose of conducting some certain domestic concerns 
and all foreign relations. In the instrument forming that 
union is louud an article which declares that, "every 
stale shall abide by the determination of Congress on ail 
questions which by that confederation should be submitted 
to them." 

Under the Confederation, then, no state could legally 
annul a decision of the Congress, or refuse to submit to 
its execution ; but no provision was made to enforce these 
decisions. Congress made requisitions, but they were not 
complied with. The government could not operate on 
individuals. They had no judiciary, no means of collect- 
ing revenue. 

But the defects of the Confederation need not be de- 
tailed. Under its operation we could scarcely be called a 
nation. We had neither prosperity at home, nor con- 
sideration abroad. This stale of things could not be en- 
dured, and our present happy Constitution was formed, 

12* 



268 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

but formed in vain if this fatal doctrine prevails. It was 
formed for important objects that are announc -d in ihe 
preamble, made in the name and by the authori 4 the 
people of the United States, whose delegates fram.- and 
whose conventions approved it. The most important 
among these objects, that which is placed first in rank, 
on which all others rest, is "to form a more perfect 
UNION." Now, is it possible that even if there were no 
express provisions giv ng supremacy to the Constitutioa 
and Laws of the United States over those of the states — 
can it be conceived that an instrument made for the pur- 
pose of "FORMING A MORE PERFECT UNIOn" than that of 

the Confederation, could be so constructed by the as- 
sembled wisdom of our country as to substitute for that 
confederation a form of government dependent for its ex- 
istence on the local interest, the party spirit of a stale, or 
of a prevailing faction in a state ? Every man of plain, 
unsophisticated understanding, who hears the question, 
will give such an answer as will preserve the Union. 
Metaphysical subtlety, in pursuit of an impracticable 
theory, could alone have devised one that is calculated to 
destroy it. 

I consider then the power to annul a law of the United 
States, assumed by one state, incompatible with the 

EXISTENCE OF THE UNION, CONTRADICTED EXPRESSLY BY 
the LETTER OF THE CONSTITUTION, UNAUTHORIZED BY ITS 
SPIRIT, INCONSISTENT WITH EVERY PRINCIPLE ON WHICH IT 
WAS FOUNDED, AND DESTRUCTIVE OF THE GREAT OBJECT 
FOR WHICH IT WAS FORMED. 

After this general view of the leading principle, we 
must examine the particular application of it which is 
made in the ordinance. 

The preamble rests its justification on these grounds : 
It assumes as a fact, that the obnoxious laws, although 
they purport to be laws for raising revenue, were in reality 
intended for the protection of manufactures, which purpose 
it asserts to be unconstitutional ; that the operation of these 
laws is unequal ; that the amount raised by them is greater 
than is required by the wants of the government : and 
finally, that the proceeds are to be applied to objects un 



PROCLAMATION. 269 

authorized by the Constitution. These are the only causes 
alleged to justify an open opposition to the laws of the 
country, and a threat of seceding from the Union, if any 
attempt should be made to enforce them. The first virtu- 
ally acknowledges, that the law in question was passed 
under a power expressly given by the Constitution, to lay 
and collect imposts : but its constitutionality is drawn in 
question from the motives of those who passed it. How- 
ever apparent this purpose may be in the present case, 
nothing can be more dangerous than to admit the position 
that an unconstitutional purpose, entertained bv the mem- 
bers who assent to a law enacted under a constitutional 
power, shall make that law void ; for how is that purpose 
to be ascertained ? Who is to make the scrutiny ? How 
often may bad purposes be falsely imputed — in how many 
cases are they concealed by false professions — in how 
many is no declaration of motives made? Admit this 
doctrine, and you give to the states an uncontrolled right 
to decide, and every law may be annulled under this pre- 
text. If, therefore, the absurd and dangerous doctrine 
should be admitted, that a state may annul an unconstitu- 
tional law, or one that it deems such, it will not apply to 
the present case. 

The next objection is, that the laws in question operate 
unequahy. This objection may be made with truth, to 
every law that has been or can be passed. The wisdom 
of man never yet contrived a system of taxation that 
would operate virith perfect equality. If the unequal ope- 
ration of a law makes it unconstitutional, and if all laws 
of that description may be abrogated by any slate £or that 
cause, then indeed is the Federal Constitution unworthy 
of the slightest effort for its preservation. We have 
hitherto relied on it as the perpetual bond of our union. 
We have received it as the work of the assembled wisdom 
of the nation. We have trusted to it as to the sheet 
anchor of our safety in the stormy times of conflict with 
a foreign or domestic foe. We have looked to it with 
sacred awe as the palladium of our liberties, and with all 
the solemnities of religion have pledged to each other our 
hves and fortunes here, and our hopes of happiness here 



270 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

after, in its defence and support. Were we mistaken, 
my countrymen, in attaching this importance to the Con- 
stitution of our country ? Was our devotion paid to the 
wretched, inefficient, clumsy contrivance which this new 
doctrine would make it ? Did we pledge ourselves to the 
support of an airj'- nothing, a bubble that must be blown 
away by the first breath of disaffection? Was this self- 
destroying, visionary theory, the work of the profound 
statesmen, the exaked patriots, to whom the task of con- 
stitutional reform was intrusted ? Did the name of Wash- 
ington sanction, did the states ratify, such an anomaly in 
the history of fundamental legislation ? No. We were 
not mistaken. The letter of this great instrument is free 
from this radical fault : its language directly contradicts 
the imputation : its spirit — its evident intent, contradicts 
it. No ; we do not err ! Our Constitution does not con- 
tain the absurdity of giving power to make laws, and 
another power to resist them. The sages whose memory 
will always be reverenced, have given us a practical, and, 
as they hoped, a permanent constitutional compact. The 
father of his country did not affix his revered name to so 
palpable an absurdity. Nor did the states, when they 
severally ratified it, do so under the impression that a veto 
on the laws of the United States was reserved to them, or 
that they could exercise it by implication. Search the 
debates in all their conventions — examine the speeches 
of the most zealous opposers of federal authority — look at 
the amendments that were proposed — they are all silent 
— not a syllable uttered, not a vote given, not a motion 
made, to correct the explicit supremacy given to the laws 
of the Union over those of the states — or to show that 
implication, as is now contended, could defeat it. No ; 
we have not erred ! The Constitution is still the object 
of our reverence, the bond of our union, our defence in 
danger, the source of our prosperity in peace. It shall 
descend, as we have received it, uncorrupted by sophis- 
tical construction, to our posterity ; and the sacrifices of 
local interest, of state prejudices, of personal animosities, 
that were made to bring it into existence, will again be 
patriotically offered for its support. 



PROCLAMATION. 3Vl 

The two remaining- objections made by the ordinan 
to these laws are, that the sums intended to be raised b} 
them are greater than required, and that the proceeds wilx 
be unconstitutionally employed. 

The Constitution has given expressly to Congress the 
right of raising revenue, and of determining the sum the 
public exigencies will require. The states have no con- 
trol over the exercise of this right, other than that which 
results from the power of changing the representatives 
who abuse it ; and thus procure redress. Congress may 
undoubtedly abuse this discretionary power, but the same 
may be said of others with which they are vested. Yet 
the discretion must exist somewhere. The Constitution 
has given it to the representatives of all the people, 
checked by the representatives of the states and by the 
executive power. The South Carolina construction gives 
it to the legislature, or the convention of a single state, 
where neither the people of the different states, nor the 
states in their separate capacity, nor the chief magistrate 
elected by the people, have any representation. Which 
is the most discreet disposition of the power ? I do not 
ask you, fellow-citizens, which is the constitutional dis- 
position — that instrument speaks a language not to be 
misunderstood. But if you were assembled in general 
convention, which would you think the safest depository 
of this discretionary power in the last resort ? Would you 
add a clause giving it to each of the states, or would you 
sanction the wise provisions already made by your Con- 
stitution ? If this should be the result of your delibera- 
tions when providing for the future, are you, can you be 
ready, to risk all that we hold dear, to establish, for a 
temporary and a local purpose, that which you must ac- 
knowledge to be destructive, and even absurd, as a general 
provision ? Carry out the consequences of this right vested 
in the different states, and you must perceive that the crisis 
your conduct presents at this day would recur whenevei 
any law of the United States displeased any of the states, 
and that we should soon cease to be a nation. 

The ordinance, with the same knowledge of the future 
that characterizes a former objection, tells you that the 



272 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

proceeds of the tax will be unconstitutionally applied. 
If this could be ascertained with certainty, the objection 
would, with more propriety, be reserved for the laws so 
appljnng the proceeds, but surely cannot be urged against 
the law levying the duty. 

These are the allegations contained in the ordinance. 
Exannine them seriously, my fellow-citizens. — ^judge for 
yourselves. I appeal to you to determine whether they 
are so clear, so convincing, as to leave no doubt of their 
correctness ; and even if you should come to this conclu- 
sion, how far they justify the reckless, destructive course 
which you are directed to pursue. Review these objec- 
tions, and the conclusions drawn from them, once more. 
What are they ? Every law, then, for raising revenue, 
according to the South CaroHna ordinance, may be right- 
fully annulled, unless it be so framed as no law ever wiL 
or can be framed. Congress have a right to pass laws for 
raising revenue, and each state has a right to oppose their 
execution — two rights directly opposed to each other — and 
yet is this absurdity supposed to be contained in an in- 
strument drawn for the express purpose of avoiding colli- 
sions between the states and the general government, by 
an assembly of the most enlightened statesmen and purest 
patriots ever imbodied for a similar purpose. 

In vain have these sages declared that Congress shall 
have power to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts, and 
excises — in vain have they provided that they shall have 
power to pass laws which shall be necessary and proper 
to carry those powers into execution ; that those laws and 
that Constitution shall be the "supreme law of the land, 
and that the judges in every state shall be bound thereby, 
any thing in the constitution or laws of any state to the 
contrary, notwithstanding." In vain have the people o 
the several states solemnly sanctioned these provisions 
made them their paramount law, and individually sworn 
to support them whenever they were called on to execute 
any office. Vain provisions ! ineffectual restrictions ! vile 
profanation of oaths ! miserable mockery of legislation ! if 
a bare majority of the voters in any one state may, on a 
real or supposed knowledge of the intent in which a 



PROCLAMATION. 273 

law has been passed, declare themselves free from its 
operations — say here it gives too little, there too much, 
md operates unequally — here it suffers articles to be free 
that ought to be taxed — there it taxes those that oufrht to 
be free — in this case the proceeds are intended to be ap- 
plied to purposes which we do noi approve — in that, the 
amount raised is more than is wanted. Congress, it is 
true, are invested by the Constitution with the right of 
deciding these questions according to their sound discre- 
tion ; Congress is composed of the representatives of all 
the states and of all the people of all the states ; but, we, 
part of the people of one state, to whom the Constitution 
has given no power on the subject, from whom it has ex- 
pressly taken it away — wk, who have solemnly agreed 
that this Constitution shall be our law — we, most of whom 
have sworn to support it — we now abrogate this law and 
swear, and force others to swear, that it shall not be 
obeyed ! And we do this, not because Congress have no 
right to pass such laws ; this we do not allege; but because 
they have passed them with improper views. They are 
unconstitutional from the motives of those who passed 
them, which we can never with certainty know — from 
their unequal operation, although it is impossible from 
the nature of things that they should be equal — and from 
the disposition which we presume may be made of their 
proceeds, although that disposition has not been declared. 
This is the plain meaning of the ordinance in relation to 
laws which it abrogates for alleged unconstitutionality. 
But it does not stop there. It repeals, in express terms, 
an important part of the Constitution itself, and of laws 
passed to give it effect, which have never been alleged to 
be unconstitutional. The Constitution declares that the 
judicial powers of the United States extend to cases aris- 
ing under the laws of the United States, and that such 
laws, the Constitution and treaties, shall be paramount to 
the state constitutions and laws. The judiciary act pre- 
scribes the mode b}' which the case may be brought be- 
fore a court of the United States, by appeal, when a state 
tribunal shall decide against this provision of the Consti- 
tution. The ordinance declares there shall be no appeal 



274 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

— makes the state law paramount to the Constitution and 
laws of the United States — forces judges and jurors to 
swear that they will disregard their provisions ; and even 
makes it penal in a suitor to attempt relief by appeal. It 
further declares that it shall not be lawful for the authori- 
ties of the United States, or of that state, to enforce the 
payment of duties imposed by the revenue laws within 
its limits. 

Here is a law of the United States not even pretende 
to be unconstitutional, repealed by the authority of a small 
majority of the voters of a single state. Here is a pro- 
vision of the Constitution which is solemnly abrogated by 
the same authority. 

On such expositions and reasonings the ordinance grounds 
not only an assertion of the right to annul the laws of 
which it complains, but to enforce it by a threat of seced- 
ing from the Union if any attempt is made to execute 
them. 

This right to secede is deduced from the nature of the 
Constitution, which they say is a compact between sove- 
reign states, who have preserved their whole sovereignty, 
and, therefore, are subject to no superior ; ihat because 
they made the compact, they can break it, wnen, in their 
opinion, it has been departed from by the other states. 
Fallacious as this course of reasoning is, it enlists state 
pride, and finds advocates in the honest prejudices of those 
who have not studied the nature of our government suffi- 
ciently to see the radical error on which it >^ests. 

The people of the United States formed ttie Constitu- 
tion, acting through the state legislatures in making the 
compact, to meet and discuss its provisions, and acting in 
separate conventions when they ratified those provisions ; 
but the terms used in its construction, show it to be a 
government in which the people of all the states collec- 
tively are represented. We are one people in the choice 
of a President and Vice-President. Here the states have 
no other agency than to direct the mode »n winch the 
votes shall be given. The candidates having- the majority 
of all the votes are chosen. The electors or a majority 
of the states may have given their votes for one candidate, 



PROCLAMATION. 275 

and yet another may be chosen. The people, then, and 
not the states, are represented in the executive branch. 

In the House of Representatives there is this difference, 
that the people of one state do not, as in the case of Pre- 
sident and Vice-President, all vote for the same officers. 
The people of all the states do not vote for all the mem- 
bers, each state electing only its own representatives. But 
this creates no material distinction. When chosen, they 
are all representatives of the United States, not repre- 
sentatives of the particular state from which they come. 
They are paid by the United States, not by the state ; nor 
are they accountable to it for any act done in the per- 
formance of their legislative functions ; and however they 
may, in practice, as it is their duty to do, consult and pre- 
fer the interests of their particular constituents when they 
come in conflict with any other partial or local interest, 
yet it is their first and highest duty, as Representatives of 
the United States, to promote the general good. 

The Constitution of the United States then forms a 
government, not a league, and whether it be formed by 
compact between the states, or in any other manner, its 
character is the same. It is a government in which all 
the people are represented, which operates directly on the 
people individually, not upon the state — they retained all 
the power they did not grant. But each state having 
expressly parted with so many powers, as to constitute 
jointly with the other states a single nation, cannot from 
that period possess any right to secede, because such 
secession does not break a league, but destroys the unity 
of a nation, and any injury to that unity is not only a 
breach which would result from the contravention of a 
compact, but it is an offence against the whole Union. 
To say that any state may at pleasure secede from the 
Union, is to say that the United States are not a nation, 
because it would be a solecism to contend that any part of 
a nation might dissolve its connection with the other parts, 
to their injury or ruin, without committing any offence. 
Secession, like any other revolutionary act, may be mo- 
rally justified by the extremity of oppression ; but to call 
it a constitutional right, is confounding the meaning Oi 



276 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

terms, and can only be done through gross error, or to 
deceive those who are wilhng to assert a right, but would 
pause before they made a revocation, or incur the penal- 
ties consequent on a failure. 

Because the Union was formed by compact, it is said 
the parties to that compact may, when they feel themselves 
aggrieved, depart from it, but it is precisely because it is 
a compact that they cannot. A compact is an agreement 
or binding obligation. It may by its terms have a sanction 
or penalty for its breach, or it may not. If it contains no 
sanction, it may be broken with no other consequence than 
moral guilt ; if it have a sanction, then the breach incurs 
the designated or implied penalty. A league between 
independent nations, generally, has no sanction other than 
a moral one ; or if it should contain a penalty, as there is 
no common superior, it cannot be enforced. A govern- 
ment, on the contrary, always has a sanction express or 
implied, and in our case, it is both necessarily impHed 
and expressly given. An attempt by force of arms to 
destroy a government, is an offence, by whatever means 
the constitutional compact may have been formed ; and 
such government has the right, by the law of self-defence, 
to pass acts for punishing the offender, unless that right 
is modified, restrained, or resumed by the constitutional 
act. In our system, although it is modified in the case of 
treason, yet authority is expressly given to pass all laws 
necessary to carry its powers into effect, and under this 
grant, provision has been made for punishing acts which 
obstruct the due administration of the laws. 

It would seem superfluous to add any thing to show the 
nature of that union which connects us; but as erroneous 
opinions on this subject are the foundation of doctrines the 
most destructive to our peace, I must give some further 
development to my views on this subject. No one, fellow- 
citizens, has a higher reverence for the reserved rights of 
the states than the magistrate who now addresses you. 
No one would make greater personal sacrifices, or official 
exertions, to defend them from violation, but equal card 
must be taken to prevent on their part an improper inter- 
ference with, or resumption of the rights they have vested 



I 



PROCLAMATION. 277 

ill the nation. The line has not been so distinctly drawn 
as to avoid doubts in some cases of the exercise of power. 
Men of the best intentions and soundest views may differ 
in the construction of some parts of the Constitution ; but 
there are others on which dispassionate reflection can leave 
no doubt. Of this nature appears to be the assumed right 
of secession. It rests, as we have seen, on the alleged 
undivided sovereignty of the states, and on their having 
formed in this sovereign capacity a compact which is called 
the Constitution, from which, because they made it, they 
have the right to secede. Both of these positions are erro- 
neous, and some of the arguments to prove them so have 
been anticipated. 

The states severally have not retained their entire sove- 
reignty. It has been shown that in becoming parts of a 
nation, not members of a league, they surrendered many 
of their essential parts of sovereignty. The right to make 
treaties, declare war, levy taxes, exercise exclusive judicial 
and legislative powers, were all of them functions of sove- 
reign power. The states, then, for all these important 
purposes, were no longer sovereign. The allegiance with 
their citizens was transferred in the first instance to the 
government of the United States ; they became American 
citizens, and owed obedience to the Constitution of the 
United States, and to laws made in conformity with powers 
it vested in Congress. This last position has not been, 
and cannot be denied. How then can that state be said 
to be sovereign and independent whose citizens owe obe- 
dience to laws not made by it, and whose magistrates are 
sworn to disregard those laws, when they come in conflict 
with those passed by another ? What shows conclusively 
thai the states cannot be said to have reserved an undivided 
sovereignty, is that they expressly ceded the right to 
punish treason, not treason against their separate power, 
but treason against the United States. Treason is an 
offence against sovereignty, and sovereignty must reside 
with the power to punish it. But the reserved rights of 
the states are not the less sacred because they have for 
the common interest made the general government the 
depository of these powers. The unity of our pohticaJ 



278 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

character (as has b3en shown for another purpose) com- 
menced with its very existence. Under the royal govern- 
ment, Ave had no separate character; our opposition to itsr 
oppressions began as united colonies. We were the 
United States under the Confederation, and the name 
was perpetuated and the Union rendered more perfect by 
the Federal Constitution. In none of these stages did 
we consider ourselves in any other hght than as forming 
one nation. Treaties and alliances were made in the 
name of all. Troops were raised for the joint defence. 
How, then, with all these proofs, that under all changes 
of our position we had, for designated purposes, and with 
defined powers, created national governments ; how is it 
that the most perfect of those several modes of union 
should now be considered as a mere league that may be 
dissolved at pleasure ? It is from an abuse of terms. 
Compact is used as synonymous with league, although the 
true term is not employed, because it would at once show 
the fallacy of the reasoning. It would not do to say that 
our Constitution was only a league, but, it is labored to 
prove it a compact, (which in one sense it is,) and then to 
argue that as a league is a compact, every compact be- 
tween nations must of course be a league, and that from 
such an engagement every sovereign power has a right 
to recede. But it has been shown, that in this sense the 
states are not sovereign, and that even if they were, and 
the National Constitution had been formed by compact, 
there would be no right in any one state to exonerate itself 
from its obligations. 

So obvious are the reasons which forbid this secession, 
that it is necessary only to allude to them. The Union 
was formed for the benefit of all. It Avas produced by 
mutual sacrifices of interests and opinion. Can those 
sacrifices be recalled ? Can the states, who magnani 
mously surrendered their title to the territories of the west, 
recall the g^rant ? Will the inhabitants of the inland states 
agree to pay the duties that may be imposed without their 
assent by those on the Atlantic or the gulf, for their own 
benefit ? Shall there be a free port in one state and one- 
rous duties in another ^ No one believes that any right 



PROCLAMATION. 279 

exists m a sing-le state to involve all the others in these 
and countless other evils, contrary to engagements solemn- 
ly made. Every one must see that the other states, in 
self-defence, must oppose it at all hazards. 

These ai^ the alternatives that are presented by the 
Convention ; a repeal of all the acts for raising revenue, 
leaving the government without the means of support; or 
an acquiescence in the dissolution of our Union by the 
secession of one of its members. When the first was 
proposed, it was known that it could not be listened to for 
a moment. It was known if force was applied to oppose 
the execution of the laws, that it must be repelled by force 
— that Congress could not, without involving itself in dis- 
grace and the country in ruin, accede to the proposition; 
and yet if this is done on a given day, or if any attempt 
is made to execute the laws, the state is, by the ordinance, 
declared to be out of the Union. 

The majority of a Convention assembled for the purpose, 
have dictated these terms, or rather its rejection of all terms, 
in the name of the people of South Carolina. It is true that 
the Governor of the state speaks of submission of their 
grievances to a Convention of all the states ; which he says 
they " sincerely and anxiously seek and desire." Yet this 
obvious and constitutional mode of obtaining the sense of 
the other states on the construction of the federal compact, 
and amending it, if necessary, has nev^er been attempted 
by those who have urged the state on to this destructive 
measure. The state might have proposed the call for a 
general Convention to the other states ; and Congress, if a 
sufficient number of them concurred, must have called it. 

But the first magistrate of South Carolina, when he ex- 
pressed a hope that, " on a review by Congress and the 
"unctionaries of the general government of the merits of 
the controversy," sucli a Convention will be accorded to 
them, must have known that neither Congress nor any 
functionary of the general government has authority to call 
such a Convention, unless it be demanded by two-thirds 
of the states. This suggestion, then, is another instance 
of a reckless inattention to the provisions of the Constitu- 
tion with which this crisis has been madly hurried on ; or 



280 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

of the attempt to persuade the people that a constitutional 
remedy had been sought and refused. If the legislature 
of South Carolina "anxiously desire" a general Conven- 
tion to consider their complaints, why have they not made 
application for it in the way the Constitution'^points out ? 
The assertion that they "earnestly seek it" is completely 
negatived by the omission. 

This, then, is the position in which we stand. A small 
majority of the citizens of one state in the Union have 
elected delegates to a State Convention ; that Convention 
has ordained that all the revenue laws of the United States 
must be repealed, or that they are no longer a member of 
the Union. The Governor of that state has recommended 
to the legislature the raising of an army to carry the seces- 
sion into effect, and that he may be empowered to give 
clearances to vessels in the name of the state. No act of 
violent opposition to the laws has yet been committed, but 
such a state of things is hourly apprehended, and it is the 
intent of this instrument to proclaim not only the duty 
imposed on me by the Constitution " to take care that the 
laws be faithfull}'- executed," shall be performed to the 
extent of the powers already vested in me by law, or of 
such others as the wisdom of Congress shall devise and 
intrust to me for that purpose ; but to warn the citizens 
of South Carolina, who have been deluded into an oppo- 
sition to the laws, of the danger they will incur by obe- 
dience to the illegal and disorganizing ordinance of the 
Convention — to exhort those who have refused to support 
it, to persevere in their determination to uphold the Con- 
stitution and laws of their country — and to point out to all, 
the perilous situation into which the good people of that 
state have been led — and that the course they are urged 
to pursue is one of ruin and disgrace to the very state 
whose rights they affect to support. 

Fellow-citizens of my native state ! — let me not only 
admonish you, as the first Magistrate of our common coun- 
try, not to incur the penahy of its laws, but use the in- 
fluence that a father would over his children, whom he 
saw rushing to certain ruin. In that paternal language, 
with that paternal feeling, let me tell you, my countrymen, 



PROCLAMATION. 281 

that you are deluded by men who are either deceived 
themselves, or wish to deceive you. Mark under what 
pretences you have been led on to the brink of insurrec- 
tion and treason, on which you stand ! First, a diminu- 
tion of the- value of your staple commodity lowered by 
over production in other quarters, and the consequent dimi- 
nution in the value of your lands, were the sole effect of 
the tariff laws. The effect of those laws was confessedly 
injurious, but the evil was greatly exaggerated by the 
unfounded theory you were taught to beheve, that its 
burdens were in proportion to your exports, not to your 
consumption of imported articles. Your pride was roused 
by the assertion that a submission to those laws was a 
state of vassalage, and that resistance to them was equal, 
in patriotic merit, to the opposition our fathers offered to 
the oppressive laws of Great Britain. You were told 
that this opposition might be peaceably — might be consti- 
tutionally made — that you might enjoy all the advantages 
of the Union and bear none of its burdens. Eloquent 
appeals to your passions, to your state pride, to your na- 
tive courage, to your sense of real injury, were used to 
prepare you for the period when the mask which con- 
cealed the hideous features of disunion should be taken 
off. It fell, and you were made to look with complacency 
on objects which not long since you would have regarded 
with horror. Look back at the arts which have brought 
you to this state ; look forward to the consequences to 
which it must inevitably lead ! Look back to what was 
first told you as an inducement to enter into this dangerous 
course. The great political truth was repeated to you, 
that you had the revolutionary right of resisting all laws 
that were palpably unconstitutional and intolerably op- 
pressive — it was added that the right to nullify a law rested 
on the same principle, but that it was a peaceable remedy! 
This character which was given to it, made you receive 
with too much confidence the assertions that were made 
of the unconstitutionality of the law and its oppressive 
effects. 

Mark, my fellow-citizens, that by the admission of your 
leaders, the unconstitutionality must be palpable, or it will 



282 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

not justify either resistance or nullification ! What is the 
meaning of the word palpable in the sense in which it is 
here used ? — that which is apparent to every one, that 
which no man of ordinary intellect will fail to perceive. 
Is the unconstitutionality of these laws of that descrip- 
tion ? Let those among your leaders who once approved 
and advocated the principle of protective duties answer 
the question ; and let them choose whether they will be 
considered as incapable, then, of perceiving that which 
must have been apparent to every man of common under- 
standing, or as imposing upon your confidence and en- 
deavoring to mislead you now. In either case they are 
unsafe guides in the perilous paths they urge you to 
tread. Ponder well on this circumstance, and you will 
know how to appreciate the exaggerated language they 
addressed to you. They are not champions of liberty, 
emulating the fame of our Revolutionary Fathers, nor are 
you an oppressed people, contending, as they repeat to 
you, against worse than colonial vassalage. You are free 
members of a flourishing and happy Union. There is no 
settled design to oppress you. You have indeed felt the 
unequal operations of laws which may have been un- 
wisely, not unconstitutionally passed ; but that inequahty 
must necessarily be removed. 

At the very moment when you were madly urged on 
to the unfortunate course you have begun, a change in 
public opinion had commenced. The nearly approach- 
ing payment of the public debt, and the consequent ne- 
cessity of a diminution of duties, had already produced a 
considerable reduction, and that too on some articles of 
general consumption in your state. The importance of 
this change was understood, and you were authoritatively 
told that no further alleviation of your burdens was to be 
expected at the very time when the condition of the coun- 
try imperiously demanded such a modification of the duties 
as should reduce them to a just and equitable scale. But, 
as if apprehensive of the effect of this change in allaying 
your discontents, you were precipitated into the fearful 
state in which you now find yourselves. 

I have urged you to look back to the means that were 



I 



PROCLAMATION. 283 

used to hurry you on to the position you have now as- 
sumed, and forward to the consequences it will produce. 
Something more is necessary. Contemplate the condi- 
tion of that country of which you still form an important 
part ! consider its government uniting in one bond of 
common interest and general protection so many different 
states — giving to all their inhabitants the proud tide of 
Jimerican citizens — protecting their commerce — sec uri no- 
heir literature and their arts — facilitating their intercom- 
munication — defending the frontiers — and making their 
names respected in the remotest parts of the earth! Con- 
sider the extent of its territory, its increasing and happy 
population, its advance in arts which render life agree- 
able, and the sciences which elevate the mind: see edu- 
cation spreading the lights of religion, humanity, and 
general information into every cottage in this wide extent 
of our territories and states ! B^^hold it as the as3''lum 
where the wretched and the oppressed find a refuge and 
support! Look on this picture of happiness and honor, 
and say, we, too, are citizens of America ! Carolina 
is one of these proud states ; her arms have defended, 
her best blood has cemented this happy Union ! And 
then add, if you can, without horror and remorse, this 
happy Union we will dissolve — this picture of peace 
and prosperity we will deface — this free intercourse we 
will interrupt — these fertile fields we will deluge with 
blood — the protection of that glorious flag we will re- 
nounce — the very name of Americans we discard. And 
for what, mistaken men ! for what do you throw away 
these inestimable blessings — for what would you exchange 
your share in the advantage and honor of the Union ? 
For the dream of a separate independence — a dream in- 
terrupted by bloody conflicts with your neighbors, and a 
vile dependence on a foreign power. If your leaders 
could succeed in establishing a separation, what would 
be your situation ? Are you united at home — are you 
free from the apprehension of civil discord, with all its 
fearful consequences? Do our neighboring republics, 
every day suffering some new revolution or contending 
with some new insurrection — do they excite your enwy ? 

13 



284 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

But the dictates of a high duty oblige me solemnly to 
announce that you cannot succeed. 

The laws of the United States must be executed. I 
have no discretionary power on the subject ; my duty is 
emphatically pronounced in the Constitution. Those who 
told you that you might peaceably prevent their execu- 
tion, deceived you — they could not have been deceived 
themselves. They know that a forcible opposition coula 
alone prevent the execution of the laws, and they know 
that such opposition must be repelled. Their object is dis- 
union : but be not deceived by names ; disunion, by armed 
force, is treason. Are you really ready to incur its 
guilt ? If you are, on the heads of the instigators of the 
act be the dreadful consequences — on their heads be the 
dishonor, but on yours may fall the punishment — on your 
unhappy state will inevitably fall all the evils of the con- 
flict you force upon the government of your country. It 
cannot accede to the mad project of disunion, of which 
you would be the first victims — its first magistrate cannot, 
if he would, avoid the performance of his duty — the con- 
sequence must be fearful for you, distressing to your fel- 
low-citizens here, and to the friends of good government 
throughout the world. Its enemies have beheld our pros- 
perity with a vexation they could not conceal — it was a 
standing refutation of their slavish doctrines, and they 
will point to our discord with the triumph of malignant 
joy. It is yet in your power to disappoint them. There 
is yet time to show that the descendants of the Pinckneys, 
the Sumpters, the Rutledges, and of the thousand other 
names which adorn the pages of your Revolutionary 
history, will not abandon that Union, to support which, so 
many of them fought, and bled, and died. I adjure you, 
as you honor their memory — as you love the cause of 
freedom, to which they dedicated their lives — as you 
prize the peace of your country, the lives of its best cit- 
izens, and your own fair fame, to retrace your steps. 
Snatch from the archives of your state the disorganizing 
edict of its convention — bid its members to re-assemble 
and promulgate the decided expressions of your will to 
remain in the path which alone can conduct you to safety, 



PROCLAMATION. 285 

prosperity, and honor — tell them that, compared to dis- 
union, all other evils are light, because that brings with 
It an accumulation of all — declare that you will never take 
the field unless the star-spangled banner of your country 
shall float over you — that you will not be stigmatized 
when dead, and dishonored and scorned while you live, 
as the authors of the first attack on the Constitution of 
your country ! — Its destroyers you cannot be. You may 
disturb its peace — you may interrupt the course of its 
prosperity — you may cloud its reputation for stability — 
but its tranquillity will be restored, its prosperity will 
return, and the slain upon its national character will be 
transferred, and remain an eternal blot on the memory of 
those who caused the disorder. 

Fellow-citizens of the United States ! The threat of 
unhallowed disunion — the names of those, once respected, 
by whom it was uttered — the array of military force to 
support it — denote the approach of a crisis in our affairs, 
on which the continuance of our unexampled prosperity, 
our political existence, and perhaps that of all free gov- 
ernments, may depend. The conjuncture demanded a 
free, a full and explicit enunciation, not only of my inten- 
tions, but of my principles of action ; and as the claim was 
asserted of a right by a state to annul the laws of the 
Union, and even to secede from it at pleasure, a frank 
exposition of my opinions in relation to the origin and 
form of our government, and the construction I give to the 
instrument by which it was created, seemed to be proper. 
Having the fullest confidence in the justness of the legal 
and constitutional opinion of my duties, which has been 
expressed, I rely with equal confidence on your undivided 
support in my determination to execute the laws — to pre- 
serve the Union by all constitutional means — to arrest, if 
possible, by moderate but firm measures, the necessity of 
a recourse to force ; and if it be the will of Heaven that 
the recurrence of its primeval curse on man for the shed- 
ding of a brother's blood should fall upon our land, that it 
be not called down by any offensive act on the part of the 
United States. 

Fellow-citizens ! The momentous case is before you. 



286 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

On your undivided support of your government depends 
the decision of the great question it involves, whether 
your sacred Union will be preserved, and the blessing it 
secures to us as one people shall be perpetuated. No 
one can doubt that the unanimity with which that decision 
will be expressed, will be such as to inspire new con- 
fidence in republican institutions, and that the prudence, 
the wisdom, and the courage which it will bring to their 
defence, will transmit them unimpaired and invigorated 
to our children. 

May the Great Ruler of nations grant that the signal 
blessings with which He has favored ours, may not, by 
the madness of party or personal ambition, be disregarded 
and lost ; and may His wise Providence bring those who 
have produced this crisis, to see the folhs before they feel 
the misery of civil strife ; and inspire a returning venera- 
tion for that Union, which, if we may dare to penetrate 
His designs, he has chosen as the only means of attaining 
the high destinies to which we may reasonably aspire. 



PROTEST. 287 



Extracts from President Jackson^ s Protest against the Action of the 
United States Senate. — April 15, 1834. 

REASONS FOR THE PROTEST. 

It appears by the published journal of the Senate, that 
on the 2Mth of December last, a resolution was offered by 
a member of the Senate, which, after a protracted debate, 
was on the 28lh day of March last modified by the mover, 
and passed by the votes of twenty-six senators out of forty- 
six, who were present and voted, in the following words, 
viz. : 

" Resolved, That the President, in the late executive 
proceedino- in relation to the public revenue, has assumed 
upon himself authority and power not conferred by the 
Constitution and laws, but in derogation of both." 

Having had the honor, through the voluntary suffrages 
of the American people, to fill the office of President of 
the United States, during the period which may be pre- 
sumed to have been referred to in this resolution, it is 
sufficiently evident, that the censure it inflicts was intended 
for myself. Without notice, unheard and untried, 1 thus 
find myself charged on the records of the Senate, and in 
a form hitherto unknown in our history, with the high 
crime of violating the laws and Constitution of my country. 

Il can seldom be necessary for any department of the 
government, when assailed in conversation, or debate, or 
by the strictures of the press or of popular assemblies, to 
step out of its ordinar)'- path for the purpose of vindicating 
its conduct, or of pointing out any irregularity or injustice 
in the manner of the attack. But when the Chief Execu- 
tive Magistrate is, by one of the most important branches 
of the government, in its official capacity, in a public 
manner, and by its recorded sentence, but without prece- 



288 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

dent, competent authority, or just cause, declared guilty of 
the breach of the laws and Constitution, it is due to his 
station, to public opinion, and to proper self-respect, that 
the officer thus denounced should promptly expose the 
wronof which has been done. 

In the present case, moreover, there is even a stronger 
necessity ror such a vindication. By an express provision 
of the Constitution, before the President of the United 
States can enter on the execution of his office, he is 
required to take an oath or affirmation, in the following 
words : 

"I do solemnly swear (or afiirm) that I vvill faithfully 
execute the office of President of the United States ; and 
will, to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend 
the Constitution of the United States." 

The duty of defending, so far as in him lies, the integ- 
rity of the Constitution, would indeed have resulted from 
the very nature of his office ; but, by thus expressing it 
in the official oath or affirmation, which, in this respect, 
difffrs from that of every other functionary, the founders 
of our republic have attested their sense of its importance, 
and have given to it a peculiar solemnity and force. Bound 
to the performance of this duty by the oath I have taken, 
by the strongest obligations of gratitude to the American 
people, and by the ties which unite my every earthly in- 
terest with the welfare and glory of my country ; and 
perfectly convinced that the discussion and passage of the 
above-mentioned resolution were not only unauthorized by 
the Constitution, but in many respects repugnant to its 
provisions, and subversive of the rights secured by it to 
other co-ordinate departments, I deem it an imperative 
duty to maintain the supremacy of that sacred instrument, 
and the immunities of the department intrusted to my 
care, by all means consistent with my own lawful powers, 
with the rights of others, and with the genius of our civil 
institutions. To this end, I have caused this, my solemn 
protest against the aforesaid proceedings, to be placed on 
the files of the Executive Department, and to be transmitted 
to the Senate. 



PROTEST. 289 

POWERS OF THE SENATE IN CASES OF IMPEACHMENT. 

Under the Constitution of the United States, the powers 
and functions of the various departments of the federal 
government, and their responsibihties for violation or 
neglect of dut}^ are clearly defined, or result by necessary- 
inference. The legislative power, subject to the qualified 
negative of the President, is vested in the Congress of the 
United States, composed of the Senate and House of Re- 
presentatives. The executive power is vested exclusively 
in the President, except that in the conclusion of treaties, 
and in certain appointments to office, he is to act with the 
advice and consent of the Senate. The judicial power is 
vested exclusively in the Supreme and other Courts of the 
United States, except in cases of impeachment, for which 
purpose the accusatory power is vested in the House of 
Representatives, and that of hearing and determining in 
the Senate. But although, for the special purposes which 
have been mentioned, there is an occasional intermixture 
of the powers of the different departments, yet, with these 
exceptions, each of the three great departments is inde- 
pendent of the others in its sphere of action ; and when 
it deviates from that sphere, is not responsible to the others, 
further than it is expressly made so in the Constitution. 
In every other respect, each of them is the coequal of the 
other two, and all are the servants of the American people, 
without power or right to control or censure each other in 
the service of their common superior, save only in the 
manner and to the degree which that superior has pre- 
scribed. 

The responsibilities of the President are numerous and 
weighty. He is Hable to impeachment for high crimes 
and misdemeanors, and, on due conviction, to removal from 
office, and perpetual disqualification ; and notwithstanding 
such conviction, he may also be indicted and punished 
according to law. He is also liable to the private action 
of any party, who may have been injured by his illegal 
mandates or instructions, in the same manner and to the 
same extent as the humblest functionary. In addition to 
the responsibilities which may thus be enforced by im- 



290 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

peachment, criminal prosecution, or suit at law, he is also 
accountable at the bar of public opinion, for every act of 
his administration. Subject only to the restraints of truth 
and justice, the free people of the United States have the 
undoubted right, as individuals or collectively, orally or in 
writing, at such times, and in such language and form as 
they may think proper, to discuss his official conduct, and 
to express and promulgate their opinions concerning it. 
Indirectly, also, his conduct may come under review in 
either branch of the legislature, or in the Senate when 
acting in its executive capacity, and so far as the execu- 
tive or legislative proceedings of these bodies may require 
it, it may be examined by them. These are believed to 
be the proper and only modes in which the President of 
the United States is to be held accountable for his official 
conduct. 

Tested by these principles, the resolution of the Senate 
is wholly unauthorized b}"" the Constitution, and in deroga- 
tion of its entire spirit. It assumes that a single branch 
of the legislative department may, for the purposes of a 
public censure, and without any view to legislation or 
impeachment, take up, consider, and decide upon the of- 
ficial acts of the Executive. But in no part of the Con- 
stitution is the President subjected to any such responsi- 
bihty ; and in no part of that instrument is any such 
power conferre^d on either branch of the legislature. 

The justice of these conclusions will be illustrated and 
confirmed by a brief analysis of the powers of the Senate, 
and a comparison of their recent proceedings with those 
powers. 

The high functions assigned by the Constitution to the 
Senate, are in their nature either legislative, executive, or 
judicial. It is only in the exercise of its judicial powers, 
when sitting as a court for the trial of impeachments, that 
the Senate is expressly authorized and necessarily required 
to consider and decide upon the conduct of the President 
or any other public officer. Indirectly, however, as has 
been already suggested, it may frequently be called on 
to perform that office. Cases may occur in the course of 
its legislative or executive proceedings, in which it may 



PROTEST. 39 1 

be indispensable to the proper exercise of its powers, that 
it should inquire into, and decide upon, the conduct of the 
President or other public officers; and in every such case, 
its constitutional right to do so is cheerfully conceded 
But to authorize the Senate to enter on such a task, in its 
legislative or executive capacity, the inquiry must actually 
grow out of and tend to some legislative or executive 
action ; and the decision, when expressed, must take the 
form of some appropriate legislative or executive act. 

The resolution in question was introduced, discussed, and 
passed, not as a joint, but as a separate resolution. It as- 
serts no legislative power; proposes no legislative action; 
and neither possesses the form nor any of the attributes of 
a legislative measure. It does not appear to have been 
entertained or passed with any view or expectation of its 
issuing in a law or joint resolution, or in the repeal of any 
law or joint resolution, or in any other legislative action. 

While wantintr both the form and substance of a leofis- 
lative measure, it is equally manifest that the resolution 
was not justified by any of the executive powers conferred 
on the Senate. These powers relate exclusively to the 
consideration of treaties and nominations to office, and 
they are exercised in secret session, and with closed doors. 
This resolution does not apply to any treaty or nomina- 
tion, and was passed in a pubhc session. 

Nor does this proceeding in any way belong to that 
class of incidental resolutions which relate to the officers 
of the Senate, to their chamber, and other appurtenances, 
or to subjects of order, and other matters of the like nature 
— in all which either House may lawfully proceed, with- 
out any co-operation with the other, or with the President. 

On the contrary, the whole phraseology and sense of 
the resolution seem to be judicial. Its essence, true cha- 
racter, and only practical effect, are to be found in the 
conduct which it charges upon the President, and in the 
judgment which it pronounces upon that conduct. The 
resolution, therefore, though discussed and adopted by the 
Senate in its legislative capacity, is, in its office, and in all 
its characteristics, essentially judicial. 

That the Senate possesses a high judicial power, and 
13* 



292 LIFE OP JACKSON-. 

that instances may occur in which the President of the 
United States will be amenable to it, is undeniable. But 
under the provisions of the Constitution, it would seem to 
be equallv plain, that neither the President, nor any other 
officer, can be rightfully subjected to the operation of the 
judicial power of the Senate, except in the cases and 
under the torms prescribed by the Constitution. 

The Constitution declares that "the President, Vice 
president, and all civil officers of the United States, shall 
be removed from office, on impeachment for and convic- 
tion of treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misde- 
meanors;" that the House of Representatives "shall have 
the sole power of impeachment ;" that the Senate "shall 
have the sole power to try all impeachments ;" that 
" when sitting for that purpose, they shall be on oath or 
affirmation •" that " when the President of the United 
States is tried, the Chief Justice shall preside ;" that " no 
person shall be convicted without the concurrence of two- 
thirds of the members present ;" and that judgment shall 
not extend farther than "to removal from office, and dis* 
qualification to hold and enjoy any office of honor, trust, 
or profit, under the United States." 

The resolution above quoted, charges, in substance, that 
in certain proceedings relating to the public revenue, the 
President has usurped authority and power not conferred 
upon him by the Constitution and laws, and that in doing 
so, he violated both. Any such act constitutes a high 
crime — one of the highest, indeed, which the President 
can commit — ^a crime which justly exposes him to im- 
peachment by the House of Representatives, and, upon 
due conviction, to removal from office, and to the complete 
and immutable disfranchisement prescribed by the Con- 
stitution. 

The resolution, then, was in substance an impeachment 
of the President ; and in its passage, amounts to a decla- 
ration by a majority of the Senate, that he is guilty of an 
impeachable ofience. As such, it is spread upon the 
journals of the Senate — pubhshed to the nation and to the 
world — made part of our enduring archives — and incor- 
porated in the history of the age. The punishment of 



PROTEST. 393 

removal from office and future disqualification, does not, 
it is true, follow this decision ; nor would it have followed 
the like decision, if the regular forms of proceeding had 
been pursued, because the requisite number did not con- 
cur in the Result. But the moral influence of a solemn 
declaration, by a majority of the Senate, that the accused 
IS guilty of the offence charged upon him, has been as 
effectually secured, as if the like declaration had been 
made upon an impeachment expressed in the same terms. 
Indeed, a greater practical effect has been gained, because 
the voles given for the resolution, though not sufficient to 
authorize a judgment of guilty on an impeachment, were 
numerous enough to carry that resolution. 

That the resolution does not expressly allege that the 
assumption of power and authority, w^hich it condemns, 
was intentional and corrupt, is no answer to the preceding 
view of its character and effect. 

The act thus condemned, necessarily implies violation 
and design in the individual to whom it is imputed, and 
being unlawful in its character, the legal conclusion is, 
that it was prompted by improper motives, and committed 
with an unlawful intent. The charge is not of a mistake 
in the exercise of supposed powers, but of the assumption 
of powers not conferred by the Constitution and laws, and 
in derogation of both ; and nothing is suggested to excuse 
or palhate the turpitude of the act. In the absence of any 
such excuse or palliation, there is only room for one infer- 
ence ; and that is, that the intent was unlawful and cor- 
rupt. Besides, the resolution not only contains no miti- 
gating suggestion, but, on the contrary, it holds up the 
act complained of as justly obnoxious to censure and re- 
probation ; and thus as distinctly stamps it with impurity 
)t' motive, as if the strongest epithets had been used. 

The President of the United States, therefore, has been, 
by a majority of his constitutional triers, accused and 
found guilty of an impeachable offence ; but in no part 
of this proceeding have the directions of the Constitution 
been observed. 

The impeachment, instead of being preferred and pro- 
secuted by the House of Representatives, originated in 



294 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

the Senate, and was prosecuted without the aid or con- 
currence of the other house. The oath or affirmation 
prescribed by the Constitution, was not taken by the 
senators ; the Chief Justice did not preside ; no notice of 
the charge was given to the accused ; and no opportunity 
afforded him to respond to the accusation, to meet his 
accusers face to face, to cross-examine the witnesses, to 
procure counteracting testimony, or to be heard in his 
defence. The safeguards and formahties which the Con- 
stitution has connected with the power of impeachment, 
were doubtless supposed, by the framers of that instru- 
ment, to be essential to the protection of the public servant, 
to the attainment of justice, and to the order, impartiality, 
and dignity of the procedure. These safeguards and for- 
mahties were not only practically disregarded, in the com- 
mencement and conduct of these proceedings, but, in their 
result, I find myself convicted by less than two-thirds of 
the members present, of an impeachable offence. 

In vain it may be alleged in defence of this proceeding, 
that the form of the resolution is not that of an impeach- 
ment or a judgment thereupon — that the punishment pre- 
scribed in the Constitution does not follow its adoption, or 
that in this case no impeachment is to be expected from 
the House of Representatives. It is because it did not 
assume the form of an impeachment, that it is more pal- 
pably repugnant to the Constitution ; for it is through 
that form only that the President is judicially responsible 
to the Senate ; and though neither removal from office, 
nor future disqualification ensues, yet it is not to be pre- 
sumed that the framers of the Constitution considered 
either or both of those results as constituting the whole 
ot the punishment they prescribed. The judgment of 
guilty by the highest tribunal in the Union ; the stigma 
it would inflict on the offender, his family and fame ; and 
the perpetual record on the journal, handing down to 
future generations the story of his disgrace, were doubt- 
less regarded by them as the bitterest portions, if not the 
very essence of that punishment. 'So far, therefore, as 
some of its most material parts are concerned, the pas- 
sage, recording, and promulgation of the resolution, are 



PROTEST. 295 

an attempt to bring them on the President, in a manner 

unauthorized by the Constitution. To shield him and 
other officers who are hable to impeachment, from conse- 
quences so momentous, except when really merited by 
official delinquencies, the Constitution has most carefully 
guarded the whole process of impeachment. A majority 
of the House of Representatives must think the officer 
guilty before he can be charged. Two-thirds of the Senate 
must pronounce him guilty, or he is deemed to be inno- 
cent. Forty-six senators appear by the journal to have 
been present when the vote on the resolution was taken. 
If, after all the solemnities of an impeachment, thirty of 
those senators had voted that the President was guilty, 
yet would he have been acquitted; but by the mode of 
proceeding adopted in the present case, a lasting record 
of conviction has been entered up by the votes of twenty- 
six senators, without an impeachment or trial ; whilst the 
Constitution expressly declares, that to the entry of such 
a judgment on accusation by the House of Representa- 
tives, a trial by the Senate, and a concurrence of two- 
thirds in the vote of guilty, shall be indispensable pre- 
requisites. 

Whether or not an impeachment was to be expected 
from the House of Representatives, was a point on which 
the Senate had no constitutional right to speculate, and in 
respect to which, even had it possessed the spirit of pro- 
phecy, its anticipations would have furnished no just 
grounds for this procedure. Admitting that there was 
reason to believe that a violation of the Constitution and 
laws had been actually committed by the President, still 
A was the duty of the Senate, as his sole constitutional 
judges, to wait for an impeachment until the other house 
should think proper to prefer it. The members of the 
Senate could have no right to infer that no impeachment 
was intended. On the contrary, every legal and rational 
presumption on their part ought to have been, that if there 
was good reason to believe him guilty of an impeachable 
offence, the House of Representatives would perform its 
constitutional duty by arraigning the offender before the 
justice of his country. The contrary presumption would 



296 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

involve an implication derogatory to the integrity and 
honor of the representatives of the people. But suppose 
the suspicion thus implied were actually entertained, and 
for good cause, how can it justify the assumption by the 
Senate, of powers not conferred by the Constitution ? 

It is only necessary to look at the condition in which 
the Senate and the President have been placed by this 
proceeding, to perceive its utter incompatibility with the 
provisions and spirit of the Constitution, and with the 
plainest dictates of humanity and justice. 

If the House of Representatives shall be of opinion that 
there is just ground for the censure pronounced upon the 
President, then will it be the solemn duty of that House 
to prefer the proper accusation, and to cause him to be 
brought to trial by the constitutional tribunal. But in 
what condition would he find that tribunal? A majority 
of its members have already considered the case, and have 
not only formed, but expressed a deliberate judgment upon 
its merits. It is the policy of our benign system of juris- 
prudence, to secure in all criminal proceedings, and even 
in the most trivial litigations, a fair, unprejudiced, and 
impartial trial. And surely it cannot be less important, 
that such a trial should be secured to the highest officer 
of the government. 

The Constitution makes the House of Representatives 
the exclusive judges, in the first instance, of the question, 
whether the President has committed an impeachable of- 
fence. A majority of the Senate, whose interference with 
this preliminary question has, for the best of all reasons, 
been studiously excluded, anticipate the action of the 
House of Representatives, assume not only the function 
which belongs exclusively to that body, but convert them- 
selves into accusers, witnesses, counsel, and judges, and 
pre-judge the whole case. Thus presenting the appalling 
spectacle, in a free state, of judges going through a labored 
preparation for an impartial hearing and decision, by a 
previous ex parte investigation and sentence against the 
supposed ofltnder. 

There is no more settled axiom in that government 
whence we derive the model of this part of our Constitu- 



PROTEST. 297 

lion, than " that the. lords cannot impeach any to them- 
seJves, nor join in the accusation, beciiu>ie they are judges.'''' 
Independently of the general reason on which this rule is 
founded, its propriety and importance are greatly in- 
creased by the nature of the impeaching power. The 
power of arraigning the high officers of government, be- 
fore a tribunal whose sentence may expel them from their 
seats, and brand them as infamous, is eminently a popular 
remedy — a remedy designed to be employed lor the pro- 
tection of private right and public liberty, against the 
abuses of injustice, and the encroachments of arbitrary 
power. But the framers of the Constitution were also 
undoubtedly aware that this formidable instrument had 
been and might be abused ; and that from its very nature, 
an impeachment for high crimes and misdemeanors, what- 
ever might be its result, would in most cases be accom- 
panied by so much of dishonor and reproach, solicitude 
and suffering, as to make the power of preferring it, one 
of the highest solemnity and importance. It was due to 
both these considerations that the impeaching power 
should be lodged in the hands of those who, from the 
mode of their election and the tenure of their offices, 
would most accurately express the popular will, and at 
the same time be most directly and speedily amenable to 
the people. The theory of these wise and benignant in- 
tentions is, in the present case, effectually defeated by the 
proceedings of the Senate. The members of that body 
represent not the people, but the states; and though they 
are undoubtedly responsible to the states, yet, from their 
extended term of service, the effect of that responsibility, 
during the whole period of that term, must very much 
depend upon their own impressions of its obligatory force. 
When a body, thus constituted, expresses beforehand its 
opinion in a particular case, and thus indirectly invites a 
prosecution, it not only assumes a power intended for wise 
reasons to be confined to others, but it shields the latter 
from that exclusive and personal responsibility undei 
which it was intended to be exercised, and reverses the 
whole scheme of this part of the Constitution. 

Such would be some of the objections to this procedure 



298 LIFE OF JACKSOJf. 

even if it were admitted that there is just ground for im 
puting to the President the offences charged in the reso 
lution. But if, on the other hand, the House of Repre 
sentatives shall be of opinion that there is no reason foi 
charging them upon him, and shall therefore deem it 
improper to prefer an impeachment, then will the violation 
of privilege, as it respects that House, of justice, as it re- 
gards the President, and of the Constitution as it relates 
to both, be only the more conspicuous and impressive. 

RIGHT OF THE PRESIDENT TO REMOVE THE SECRETARY 
OF THE TREASURY. 

By the Constitution, the executive power is vested in 
the President of the United States. Among the duties 
imposed upon him, and which he is sworn to perform, is 
that of " taking care that the laws be faithfully executed.'* 
Being thus made responsible for the entire action of the 
executive department, it was but reasonable that the power 
ofappointing, overseeing, and controUingthose who execute 
the laws — a power in its nature executive — should remain 
in his hands. It is therefore not only his right, but the 
Constitution makes it his duty to "nominate, and by and 
with the advice and consent of the Senate, appoint" all 
"officers of the United States, whose appointments are not 
in the Constitution otherwise provided for," with the pro- 
viso that the appointment of inferior officers may be vested 
in the President alone, in the courts of justice, or in the 
heads of departments. 

The executive power vested in the Senate is neither 
.hat of "nominating" nor "appointing." It is merely a 
check upon the executive power of appointment. If in- 
dividuals are proposed for appointment by the President, 
by them deemed incompetent or unworthy, they may 
withhold their consent, and the appointment cannot be 
made. They check the action of the Executive, but 
cannot, in relation to these very subjects, act themselves, 
nor direct him. Selections are still made by the Presi- 
dent; and the negative given to the Senate, without dimi 
nishing his responsibility, furnishes an additional guarantee 
to the country that the subordinate executive, as well as 



I 



PROTEST. 299 

the judicial offices, shall be filled with worthy and com- 
petent men. 

The whole executive power being vested in the Pre- 
sident, who is responsible for its exercise, it is a necessary 
consequence that he should have a right to employ agents 
of his own choice to aid him in the performance of his 
duties, and to discharge them when he is no longer willing 
to be responsible for their acts. In strict accordance with 
this principle, the power of removal, which, like that of 
appointment, is an original executive power, is left un- 
checked by the Constitution in relation to all executive 
officers, for whose conduct the President is responsible, 
while it is taken from him in relation to judicial officers, 
for whose acts he is not responsible. In the government 
from which many of the fundamental principles of our 
system are derived, the head of the executive department 
originally had power to appoint and remove at will all 
officers, executive and judicial. It was to take the judges 
out of this general power of removal, and thus make them 
independent of the Executive, that the tenure of their 
offices was changed to good behavior. Nor is it conceiv- 
able why they are placed in our Constitution upon a tenure 
different from that of all other officers appointed by the 
Executive, unless it be for the same purpose. 

But if there were any just ground for doubt, on the face 
of the Constitution, whether all executive officers are re- 
movable at the will of the President, it is obviated by the 
cotemporaneous construction of the instrument and the 
uniform practice under it. 

The power of removal was a topic of solemn debate in 
the Congress of 1789, while organizing the administrative 
departments of the government, and it was finall}'- decided, 
that the President derived from the Constitution the power 
of removal, so far as it regards that department for w^hose 
acts he is responsible. Although the debate covered the 
whole ground, embracing the treasury as well as all the 
other executive departments, it arose on a motion to strike 
out of the bill to establish a department of foreign affairs, 
since called the department of state, a clause declaring 
the secretary "to be removable from office by the Presi- 



300 LIFE OP JACKSON. 

dent of the United States." After that motion had been 
decided in the negative, it was perceived that these words 
did not convey the sense of the House of Representatives 
in relation to the true source of the power of removal. 
With the avowed object of preventing any future infer- 
ence, that this power was exercised by the President in 
virtue of a grant from Congress, when in fact that body 
considered it as derived from the Constitution, the words 
which had been the subject of debate, were struck out 
and in Heu thereof a clause was inserted in a provision 
concerning the chief clerk of the department, which de- 
clared that "whenever the said principal officer shall be 
removed from office by the President of the United States, 
or in any other case of vacancy," the chief clerk should 
during such vacancy have charge of the papers of the 
office. This change having been made for the express 
purpose of declaring the sense of Congress, that the Pre- 
sident derived the power of removal from the Constitution, 
the act, as it passed, has always been considered as a full 
expression of the sense of the legislature on this import- 
ant part of the American Constitution. 

Here, then, we have the concurrent authority of Pre- 
sident Washington, of the Senate, and House of Repre- 
sentatives, numbers of whom had taken an active part in 
the Convention which framed the Constitution, and in the 
state Convention which adopted it, that the President 
derived an unqualified power of removal from that instru- 
ment itself, which is " beyond the reach of legislative 
authority." Upon this principle the government has 
now been steadily administered for about forty-five years, 
during which there have been numerous removals made 
by the President, or by his direction, embracing every 
grade of executive officers, from the heads of departments 
to the messengers of bureaus. 

The treasury department, in the discussions of 1789, 
was considered on the same footing as the other executive 
departments, and in the act establishing it, the precise 
words were incorporated indicative of the sense of Con- 
gress, that the President derives his power to remove the 
secretary from the Constitution, which appear in the act 



PROTEST, 301 

establishing the department of foreign affairs. An assist- 
ant secretary of the treasury was created, and it was pro- 
vided that he should take charge of the books and papers 
of the department, "whenever the secretary shall be re- 
moved from office by the President of the United States." 
The secretary of the treasury being appointed by the 
President, and being considered as constitutionally remov- 
able by him, it appears never to have occurred to any 
one in the Congress of 1789, or since, uniil very recent- 
ly, that he was other than an executive officer, the mere 
instrument of the Chief Magistrate in the execution of 
the laws, subject, like all other heads of departments, to 
his supervision and control. No such idea, as an officer of 
the Congress, can be found in the Constitution, or appears 
to have suggested itself to those who organized the go- 
vernment. 

CONCLUSION. 

The honest differences of opinion which occasionally 
exist between the Senate and the President, in regard to 
matters in which both are obliged to participate, are suf- 
ficiently embarrassing. But if the course recently adopted 
by the Senate shall hereafter be frequently pursued, it is 
not only obvious that the harmony of the relations between 
the President and the Senate will be destroyed, but that 
other and graver effects will ultimately ensue. If the 
censures of the Senate be submitted to by the President, 
the confidence of the people in his ability and virtue, and 
the character and usefulness of his administration, will 
soon be at an end, and the real power of the government 
will fail into the hands of a body, holding their offices for 
long terms, not elected by the people, and not to them 
directly responsible. If, on the other hand, the illegal 
censures of the Senate should be resisted by the President, 
collisions and angry controversies might ensue, discredit- 
able in their progress, and in the end compelling the peo- 
ple to adopt the conclusion, either that their Chief Magis- 
trate was unworthy of their respect, or that the Senate 
was chargeable with calumny and injustice. Either of 
ihese results would impair pnbhc confidence in the per- 



302 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

fection of the system, and lead to serious alterations of its 
framework, or to the practical abandonment of some of its 
provisions. 

The influence of such proceedings on the other depart- 
ments of the government, and more especially on the 
states, could not fail to be extensively pernicious. When 
the judges, in the last resort, of official misconduct, them- 
selves overleaped the bounds of their authority, as pre- 
scribed by the Constitution, what general disregard of its 
provisions might not their example be expected to pro- 
duce ? And who does not perceive that such contempt of 
the federal Constitution, by one of its most important de- 
partments, would hold out the strongest temptations to 
resistance on the part of the state sovereignties, whenever 
they shall suppose their just rights to have been invaded? 
Thus all the independent departments of the government, 
and the states \vhich compose our confederated union, 
instead of attending to their appropriate duties, and leav- 
ing those who may offend to be reclaimed or punished in 
the manner pointed out in the Constitution, would fall to 
mutual crimination and recrimination, and give to the 
people confusion and anarchy, instead of order and law ; 
until at length some form of aristocratic power would be 
established on the ruins of the Constitution, or the states 
be broken into separate communities. 

Far be it from me to charge, or to insinuate, that the 
present Senate of the United States intended, in the most 
distant way, to encourage such a result. It is not of their 
motives or designs, but only of the tendency of their acts, 
that it is my duty to speak. It is, if possible, to make 
senators themselves sensible of the danger which lurks 
under the precedent set in their resolution ; and at any 
rate to perform my duty, as the responsible head of one 
of the co-equal departments of the government, that I have 
been compelled to point out the consequences to which 
the discussion and passage of the resolution may lead, if 
the tendency of the measure be not checked in its incep- 
tion. It is due to the high trust with which I have been 
charged ; to those who may be called to succeed me in 



PROTEST. 303 

it ; to the representatives of the people, whose constitu- 
tional prerogative has been unlawfully assumed; to the 
people of the states ; and to the Constitution they have 
established ; that I shall not permit its provisions to be 
broken don'n, by such an attack on the executive depart- 
ment, without at least some effort " to preserve, protect, and 
defend them. ' With this view, and for the reasons which 
have been s^a*.cd, I do hereby solemnly protest against 
the aforementioned proceedings of the Senate, as un- 
authorized by the Constitution ; contrary to its spirit and 
to several of its express provisions; subversive of that 
distribution of the powers of government which it has 
ordained and established ; destructive of the checks and 
safeguards by which those powers were intended, on the 
one hand to be controlled, and on the other to be pro- 
tected ; and calculated by their immediate and collateral 
effects, by their character and tendency, to concentrate in 
the hands of a body not directly amenable to the people, 
a degree of influence and power dangerous to their liber- 
ties, and fatal to the Constitution of their choice. 

The resolution of the Senate contains an imputation upon 
my private as well as upon my public character; and as 
it must stand for ever on their journals, I cannot close this 
substitute for that defence which I have not been allowed 
to present in the ordinary form, without remarking, that 
I have lived in vain, if it be necessary to enter into a 
formal vindication of my character and motives from such 
an imputation. In vain do I bear upon my person, en- 
during memorials of that contest in which American 
liberty was purchased — in vain have I since perilled pro- 
perty, fame, and life, in defence of the rights and privi- 
leges so dearly bought — in vain am I now, without a 
personal aspiration, or the hope of individual advantage, 
encountering responsibilities and dangers, from which, by 
mere inactivity in relation to a single point, I might have 
been exempt — if any serious doubts can be entertained as 
to the purity of my purposes and motives. If I had been 
ambitious, I should have sought an alliance with that 
powerful institution, which even now aspires to no di- 



304 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

vided empire. If I had been venal, I should have sold 
myself to its designs. Had I preferred personal comfort 
and official ease to the performance of my arduous duly, I 
should have ceased to molest it. In the history of con- 
querors and usurpers, never, in the fire of youth, nor in 
the vigor of manhood, could I find an attraction to lure me 
from the path of duty ; and now, I shall scarcely find an 
inducement to commence their career of ambition, when 
gray hairs and a decaying frame, instead of inviting to 
toil and battle, call me to the contemplation of other 
worlds, where conquerors cease to be honored, and usurp- 
ers expiate their crimes. 

The only ambition I can feel is, to acquit myself to Him 
to whom I must soon render an account of my steward- 
ship, to serve my fellow-men, and live respected and 
honored in the history of my country. No ! the ambition 
which leads me on, is an anxious desire and a fixed de- 
termination, to return to the people, unimpaired, the 
sacred trust they have confided to my charge ; to heal 
the wounds of the Constitution and preserve it from 
further violation ; to persuade my countrymen, so far as 
I may, that it is not in a splendid government, supported 
by powerful monopolies and aristocratical establishments, 
that they will find happiness, or their liberties protection ; 
but in a plain system, void of pomp — protecting all, and 
granting favors to none — dispensing its blessings Hke the 
dews of Heaven, unseen and unfelt, sav^e in the freshness 
and beauty they contribute to produce. It is such a 
government that the genius of our people requires— such 
an one only under which our states may remain for ages 
to come, united, prosperous, and free. If the Almighty 
Being who has hitherto sustained and protected me, will 
but vouchsafe to make my feeble powers instrumental to 
such a result, I shall anticipate with pleasure the place 
to be assigned me in the history of my country, and die 
contented with the behef, that I have contributed, in some 
small degree, to increase the value and prolong the dura- 
tion of American liberty. 

To the end that the resolution of the Senate may not 



PROTEST. 305 

be hereafter drawn into precedent, with the authority of 
silent acquiescence on the part of the executive depart- 
ment, and to the end, also, that my motives and views 
in the executive proceedings denounced in that resolu- 
tion, may be known to my fellow-citizens, to the world, 
and to ail posterity, I respectfully request that this mes- 
sage and protest may be entered at length on the journals 
of the Senate. 



306 LIFE OF JACKSON. 



SIXTH ANNUAL MESSAGE. 

Delivered, Decmler 2d, 1834. 

Fellow- Citizens of the Senate and House of Representa- 
tives : — 

In performing my duty at the opening of your present 
session, it gives me pleasure to congratulate you again 
upon the prosperous condition of our beloved country. 
Divine Providence has favored us with general health, 
with rich rewards in the fields of agriculture and in every 
branch of labor, and with peace to cultivate and extend 
the various resources which employ the virtue and enter- 
prise of our citizens. Let us trust that in surveying a 
scene so flattering to our free institutions, our joint deli- 
berations to preserve them may be crowned with success. 

Our foreign relations continue, with but few exceptions, 
to maintain the favorable aspect which they bore in my 
last annual message, and promise to extend those advan- 
tages which the principles that regulate our intercourse 
with other nations are so well calculated to secure. 

The question of the northeastern boundary is still pend- 
ing with Great Britain, and the proposition made in ac- 
cordance with the resolution of the senate for the establish- 
ment of a line according to the treaty of 1783, has not 
been accepted by that government. Believing that every 
disposition is felt on both sides to adjust this perplexing- 
question to the satisfaction of all the parties interested in 
it, the hope is yet indulged that it may be effected on the 
basis of that proposition. 

WitL^the governments of Austria, Russia, Prussia, 
Holland, Sweden, and Denmark, the best understanding- 
exists. Commerce with all is fostered and protected by 
reciprocal good will, under the sanction of liberal conveu- 
tional or legal provisions. 



SIXTH ANNUAL MESSAGE. 30*7 

In tlie midst of her internal difficulties, the queen of 
Spain has ratified the convention for the payment of the 
claims of our citizens arising since 1819. It is in the 
course of execution on her part, and a copy of it is now 
laid before you for sucli legislation as may be found ne- 
cessary to enable those interested to derive the benefits 
of it. 

Yielding to the force of circumstances, and to the wise 
councils of time and experience, that power has finally re- 
solved no longer to occupy the unnatural position in which 
she stood to the new o-overnments established on this he- 
misphere. I have the great satisfaction of statmg to you 
that, in preparing the way for the restoration of harmony 
between those who have sprung from the same ancestors, 
who are aUied by common interests, profess the same re- 
ligion, and speak the same language, the United States 
have been actively instrumental. Our efforts to effect 
this good work will be persevered in while they are deem- 
ed useful to the parties, and our entire disinterestedness 
continues to be felt and understood. The act of Congress 
to countervail the discriminating duties levied to the pre- 
judice of our navigation, in Cuba and Porto Rico, has 
been transmitted to the minister of the United States at 
Madrid, to be communicated to the government of the 
queen. No intelligence of its receipt has yet reached the 
department of state. If the present condition of the coun- 
try permits the government to make a careful and enlarg- 
ed examination of the true interests of these important 
portions of its dominions, no doubt is entertained that 
their future intercourse with the United States will be 
placed upon a more just and liberal basis. 

The Florida archives have not yet been selected and 
dehvered. Recent orders have been sent to the agent of 
the United States at Havana, to return with all that he 
can obtain, so that they may be in Washington before the 
session of the supreme court, to be used in the legal ques- 
tions there pending, to which the government is a party. 
Internal tranquility is happily restored to Portugal. 
The distracted state of the country rendered unavoidable 
the postponement of a final payment of the just claims of 

14 



308 LIFE OF JACKSOHr. 

our citizens. Our diplomatic relations will be soon re- 
sumed, and the long subsisting friendship with that power 
aflfords the strongest guarantee that the balance due will 
receive prompt attention. 

The lirst instalment due under the convention of in- 
demnity with the king of the Two Sicilies has been duly- 
received, and an offer has been made to extinguish the 
whole by a prompt payment; an offer I did not consider 
myself authorized to accept, as the indemnification provi- 
ded is the exclusive property of individual citizens of the 
United States. The original adjustment of our claims, 
and the anxiety displayed to fulfil at once the stipulations 
made for the payment of them, are highly honorable to 
the government of the Two Sicihes. When it is recol- 
lected that they were the result of the injustice of an 
intrusive power, temporarily dominant in its territory, a 
repugnance to acknowledge and to pay which would have 
been neither unnatural or unexpected, the circumstances 
can not fail to exalt its character for justice and good faith 
in the eyes of all nations. 

The treaty of amity and commerce between the United 
States and Belgium, brought to your notice in my last an- 
nual message, as sanctioned by the senate, but the ratifi- 
cations of which had not been exchanged, owing to a de- 
lay in its reception at Brussels, and a subsequent absence 
of the Belgian minister of foreign affairs, has been, after 
mature deliberation, finally disavowed by that government 
as inconsistent with the powers and instructions given to 
their minister who negotiated it. This disavowal was en- 
tirely unexpected, as the liberal principles embodied in 
the convention, and which form the groundwork of the 
objections to it, were perfectly satisfactory to the Belgian 
representative, and were supposed to be not only within 
the powers granted, but expressly conformable to the 
instructions given to him. An offer, not yet accepted, 
has been made by Belgium to renew negotiations for a 
treaty less Hberal in its provisions, on questions of general 
maritime law. 

Our newly established relations with the Sublime Porte 
promise to be useful to our commerce, and satisfactory in 



SIXTH ANNUAL MESSAGE. 309 

every respect to this government. Our intercourse with 
the Barbary powers continues without important change, 
except that the present pohtical state of Algiers has in- 
duced me to terminate the residence there of a salaried 
consul, and to substitute an ordinary consulate, to remain 
so long as the place continues in the possession of France. 
Our first treaty with one of these powers, the emperor of 
Morocco, was formed in 1786, and was hmited to fifty 
years. That period has almost expired. I shall take 
measures to renew it with the greater satisfaction, as its 
stipulations are just and liberal, and have been, with mu- 
tual fidelity and reciprocal advantage, scrupulously ful- 
filled. 

Intestine dissensions have too frequently occurred to 
mar the prosperity, interrupt the commerce, and distract 
the governments of most of the nations of this hemisphere, 
which have separated themselves from Spain. When a 
firm and permanent understanding with the parent coun- 
try shall have produced a formal acknowledgment of their 
independence, and the idea, of danger from that quarter 
can be no longer entertained, the friends of freedom ex- 
pect that those countries, so favored by nature, will be 
distinguished for their love of justice, and their devotion 
to those peaceful arts, the assiduous cultivation of which 
confers honor upon nations, and gives value to human 
life. In the meantime, I confidently hope that the appre- 
hensions entertained that some of the people of these lux- 
uriant regions may be tempted, in a moment of unworthy 
distrust of their own capacity for enjoyment of liberty, to 
commit the too common error of purchasing present re- 
pose by bestowing on some favorite leaders the fata,l gift 
of irresponsible power, will not be realized. With aU 
these governments, and with that of Brazil, no unexpected 
changes in our relatione have occurred during the present 
ye-ar. Frequent causes of just complaint have arisen up- 
on the part of the citizens of the United States — some- 
times from the irregular action of the constituted subordi- 
nate authorities of the maritime regions, and sometimes 
from the leaders or partisans of those in arms against the 
estabhshed governments. In all cases, representations 



310 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

have been or will be made ; and as soon as their political 
affairs are in a settled position, it is expected that our 
friendly remonstrances will be followed by adequate re- 
dress. 

The government of Mexico made known in December 
last, the appointment of commissioners and surveyors on 
its part, to run, in conjunction with ours, the boundary 
Une between its territories and the United States, and ex- 
cused the delay for the reasons anticipated — the preva- 
lence of civil war. The commissioners and surveyors not 
having met within the time stipulated by the treaty, a 
new arrangement became necessary, and our charge d'af- 
faires was instructed in January last, to negotiate in Mex- 
ico an article addtional to the pre-existing treaty. This 
instruction was acknowledged, and no difficulty was ap- 
prehended in the accomplishment of that object. By in- 
formation just received, that additional article to the treaty 
will be obtained and transmitted to this country, as soon 
as it can receive the ratification of the Mexican Cono-ress. 

The reunion of the three states of New Grenada, Ve- 
nezuela, and Equador, forming the republic of Columbia, 
seems every day to become more improbable. The com- 
missionnrs of the first two are understood to be now ne- 
gotiating a just division of the obligations contracted by 
when united under one government. The civil war in 
Equador, it is believed, has prevented even the appoint- 
ment of a commissioner on its part. 

I propose, at an early day, to submit, in the proper 
form, the appointment of a diplomatic agent to Venezue- 
la; the importance of the commerce of that country to 
the United States, and the large claims of our citizens 
upon the government, arising before and since the division 
of Colombia, rendering it, in my judgment, improper 
longer to delay the step. 

Our representatives to Central America, Peru, and 
Brazil, are either at, or on their way, to their respective 
posts. 

From the Argentine republic, from which a minister 
was expected to this government, nothing further has 
been heard. Occasion has been taken, on the departure 



SIXTH ANNUAL MESSAGE. 311 

of a new consul to Buenos Ayres, to remind that govern- 
ment that its long-delayed minister, whose appointment 
has been made known to us, had not arrived. 

It becomes my unpleasant duty to inform you that this 
specific and highly gratifying picture of our foreign rela- 
tions, does not include those with France at this time. It 
is not possible that any government and people could be 
more sincerely desirous of concihating a just and friendly 
intercourse with another nation, than are those of the 
United States, with their ancient ally and friend. This 
disposition is founded, as well on the most grateful and 
honorable recollections associated with our struo-o-le for 
nidependence, as upon a well-grounded conviction that it 
is consonant with the true policy of both. The people of 
the United States could not, therefore, see, without the 
deepest regret, even a temporary interruption of the 
friendly relations between the two countries — a regret 
which would, I am sure, be greatly aggravated, if there 
should turn out to be any reasonable ground for attribut- 
ing such a result to any act of omission or commission on 
our part. I derive, therefore, the highest satisfaction 
from being able to assure you that the whole course of 
this government has been characterized by a spirit so con- 
ciliatory and forbearing, as to make it impossible that our 
justice and moderation should be questioned, whatever 
may be the consequences of a longer perseverance, on the 
part of the French government, in her omission to satisfy 
the conceded claims of our citizens. 

The history of the accumulated and unprovoked ag- 
gressions upon our commerce, committed by authority of 
the existing governments of France, between the years 
1800 and 1817, has been rendered too painfully famihar 
to Americans to make its repetition either necessary or 
desirable. It will be sufficient here to remark that there 
has for many years been scarcely a single administration 
of the French government by whom the justice and legal- 
ity of the claims of our citizens to indemnity were not, to 
a very considerable extent, admitted ; and yet near a quar- 
ter of a century has been wasted in inefifectual negotiations 
to secure it 



312 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

Deeply sensible of the injurious effects resulting from 
this state of things upon the interests and character of 
both nations, I regarded it as among my first duties to 
cause one more eftbrt to be made to satisfy France that 
a just and liberal settlement of our claims was as well due 
to her own honor as to their incontestable validity. The 
negotiation for this purpose was commenced with the late 
government of France, and was prosecuted with such suc- 
cess as to leave no reasonable ground to doubt that a set- 
tlement of a character quite as liberal as that which was 
subsequently made, would have been effected, had not 
the revolution, by which the negotiation was cut off, taken 
place. The discussions were resumed with the present 
government, and the result showed that we were not 
v\^rong in supposing that an event by which the two gov- 
ernments were made to approach each other so much 
nearer in their political principles, and by which the mo- 
tives for the most liberal and friendly intercourse were so 
greatly multipHed, could exercise no other than a salutary 
influence upon the negotiation. After the most deliberate 
'and thorough examination of the whole subject, a treaty 
between the two governments was concluded and signed 
at Paris on the 4th of July, 1831, by which it Avas stipu- 
lated that " the French government, in order to liberate 
itself from all the reclamations preferred against it by citi- 
zens of the United States for unlawful seizures, captures, 
sequestrations, confiscations, or destruction of their ves- 
sels, cargoes, or other property, engages to pay a sum of 
twenty-five millions of francs to the United States, who 
shall distribute it among those entitled, in the manner and 
according to the rules it shall determine ;" and it was also 
stipulated, on the part of the French government, that 
this twenty-five millions of francs should " be paid at Paris 
in six annual instalments of four millions, one hundred 
and sixty-six thousand, six hundred and sixty-six francs, 
and sixty-six centimes each, into the hands of such person 
or persons as shall be authorized by the government of the 
United States to receive it." The first instalment to be paid 
" at the expiration of one year next following the exchange 
of the ratifications of this convention, and the others at sue- 



SIXTH ANNUAL MESSAGE. 313 

cessive intervals of a year, one after another, till the whole 
shall be paid. To the amount of each of tlie said instal- 
ments shall be added interest at four per cent, thereupon, 
as upon the other instalments then remaining unpaid, the 
said interest to be computed from the day of the exchange 
of the present convention." 

It was also stipulated, on the part of the United States, 
for the purpose of being completely liberated from all the 
reclamations presented by France on behalf of its citizens, 
that the sum of one million five hundred thousand francs 
should be paid to the government of France, in six annual 
instalments, to be deducted out of the annual sums which 
France had agreed to pay, interest thereupon being in 
like manner computed from the day of the exchange of 
the ratifications. In addition to this stipulation, impor- 
tant advantages were secured to France by the following 
articles, viz : " The wines of France, from and after the 
exchange c«f the ratifications of the present convention, 
shall be admitted to consumption in the states of the 
Union, at duties which shall not exceed the following rates 
by the gallon (such as is used at present for wines in the 
United States), to wit: six cents for red Avines in casks; 
ten cents for white wines in casks ; and twenty-two cents 
for wines of all sorts in bottles. The proportions existing 
between the duties on French wines thus reduced, and 
the general rates of the tariff which went into operation 
the first of January, 1829, shall be maintained in case 
the government of the United States should think proper 
to diminish those general rates in a new tariff. 

" In consideration of this stipulation, which shall be 
binding on the United States for ten years, the French 
government abandons the reclamations which it had form- 
ed in relation to the eighth article of the treaty of cession 
of Louisiana. It engages, moreover, to establish on the 
long staple cottons of the United States, which, after the 
exchange of the ratifications of the present convention, 
shall be brought directly thence to France by the vessels 
of the United States, or by French vessels, the same du- 
ties as on short staple cottons." 

This treaty was duly ratified in the manner prescribed 



314 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

by the constitutions of both countries, and the ratifications 
■were exchanged at the city of Washington on the 2d of 
February, 1832. On account of its commercial stipula- 
tions, it was, within five days thereafter, laid before the 
Congress of the United States, which proceeded to enact 
such laws favorable to the commerce of France as were 
necessary to carry it into full execution ; and France has, 
from that pej'iod to the present, been in the unrestricted 
enjoyment of the valuable privileges that were thus secu- 
red to her. The faith of the French nation having been 
thus solemnly pledged, through its constitutional organ, 
for the liquidation and ultimate payment of the long-de- 
ferred claims of our citizens, as also for the adjustment of 
other points of great and reciprocal benefits to both coun- 
tries, and the United States having, with a fidehty and 
promptitude by which their conduct will, I trust, be 
always characterized, done, everything that was necessary 
to carry the treaty into full and fair effect on their part, 
counted, with the most perfect confidence, on equal fidelity 
and promptitude on the part of the French government. 
In this reasonable expectation we have been, I regret to 
inform you, wholly disappointed. No legislative pro\dsion 
has been made by France for the execution of the treaty, 
either as it respects the indemnities to be paid, or the 
commercial benefits to be secured to the United States. 
and the relations between the United States and that 
power, in consequence thereof, are placed in a situation 
threatening to interrupt the good understanding which 
has so long and so happily existed between the two na- 
tions. 

Not only has the French government been thus want- 
ing in the performance of the stipulations it has so solemn- 
ly entered into with the United States, but its omissions 
have been marked by circumstances which would seem 
to leave us without satisfactory evidences that such per- 
formance will certainly take place at a future period. Ad- 
vice of the exchange of ratifications reached Paris prior to 
the 8th of April, 1832. The French chambers Avere then 
sitting, and continued in session until the 21st of that 
month; and although one instalment of the indemnity 



SIXTH ANNUAL MESSAGE. 815 

was payable on the 2d of February, 1833, one year after 
the exchange of ratilications, no application was made to 
the chambers for the required appropriation, and, in con- 
sequence of no appropriation having then been made, the 
draft of the United States government for that instalment 
was dishonored by the minister of finance, and the United 
States thereby involved in much controversy. The next 
session of the chambers commenced on the 19th of No- 
vember, 1832, and continued until the 25th of April, 
1833. Notwithstanding the omission to pay the first 
instalment had been made the subject of eaniest remon- 
strance on our part, the treaty with the United States, 
and a bill making the necessary appropriations to execute 
it, were not laid before the chamber of deputies until the 
6th of April, nearly five months after its meeting, and 
only nineteen days before the close of the session. The 
bill was read and referred to a committee, but there was 
no further action upon it. The next session of the cham- 
bers commenced on the 26th of April 1833, and continued 
until the 25th of June following. A new bill was intro- 
duced on the 11th of June, but nothing important was 
done in relation to it during the session. In the month 
of April, 1834, nearly three years after the signature of 
the treaty, the final action of the French chambers upon 
the bill to carry the treaty into efiect was obtained, and 
resulted in a refusal of the necessary appropriations. The 
avowed gTOunds upon which the bill was rejected, are to 
be found in the published debates of that body, and no 
observations of mine can be necessary to satisfy Congress 
of their utter insufficiency. Although the gTOSs amount 
of the claims of our citizens, is probably greater than will 
be ultimately allowed by the commissioners, sufficient is, 
nevertheless, shown, to render it absolutely certain that 
the indemnity falls far short of the actual amount of our 
just claims, independently of the question of damages and 
interest for the detention. That the settlement involved 
a sacrifice in this respect was well known at the time — a 
sacrifice which was cheerfully acquiesced in by the differ- 
ent branches of the federal government, whose action 
upon the treaty was required, from, a sincere desire to 

14^ 



316 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

avoid further collision upon this old and disturbed sub- 
ject, and in the confident expectation that the general 
relations between the two countries would be improved 
thereby. 

The refusal to vote the appropriation, the news of which 
was received from our minister in Paris, about the 15th 
day of May last, might have been considered the final de- 
termination of the French government not to execute the 
stipulations of the treaty, and would have justified an im- 
mediate communication of the facts to Congress, with a 
recommendation of such ultimate measures as the interest 
and honor of the United States might seem to require. 
But with the news of the refusal of the chambers to make 
the appropriation, were conveyed the regrets of the king, 
and a declaration that a national vessel should be forth- 
with sent out, with instructions to the French minister to 
give the most ample explanations of the past, and the 
strongest assurances for the future. After a long passage, 
the promised despatch vessel arrived. The pledges given 
by the French minister, upon receipt of his instructions, 
were, that as soon after the election of the new members 
L'is the charter would permit, the legislative chambers of 
France should be called together, and the proposition for 
an appropriation laid before them ; that all the constitu- 
tional powers of the king and his cabinet should be exert- 
ed to accomplish the object; and that the result should 
be made known early enough to be communicated to 
Congress at the commencement of the present session. 
Relying upon these pledges, and not doubting that the 
acknowledged justice of our'claims, the promised exertions 
of the king and his cabinet, and above all, that sacred re- 
gard for the national faith and honor for which the French 
character has been so distinguished, would secure an early 
execution of the treaty in all its parts, I did not deem it 
necessary to call the attention of Congress to the subject 
at the last session. 

I regret to say that the pledges made through the 
minister of France have not been redeemed. The new 
chambers met on the 31st of July last, and although the 
subject of fulfilling treaties was alluded to in the speech 



SIXTH ANNUAL MESSAGE. 31 7 

from the throne, no attempt was made by the king or his 
cabinet to procure an appropriation to carry it into execu- 
tion. The reasons given for this omission, although they 
might be considered sufficient in an ordinary case, are 
not consistent with the expectations founded upon the as- 
surances given here, for there is no constitutional obstacle 
to entering into legislative business at the first meeting of 
the chambers. This point, however, might have been 
overlooked, had not the chambers, instead of being called 
to meet at so early a day that the result of their dehbera- 
tions might be communicated to me before the meeting 
of Congress, been prorogued to the 29th of the present 
month — a period so late that their decision can scarcely 
be made known to the present Cx)ngress prior to its dis- 
solution. To avoid this delay, our minister in Paris, in 
virtue of the assurance given by the French minister in 
the United States, strongly urged the convocation of the 
chambers at an earher day, but without success. It is 
proper to remark, however, that this refusal has been ac- 
companied with the most positive assurances, on the part 
of the executive government of France, of their intention 
to press the appropriation at the ensuing session of the 
chambers. 

The executive branch of this government has, as mat- 
ters stand, exhausted all the authority upon the subject 
with which it is invested, and which it had any reason to 
believe could be beneficially employed. 

The idea of acquiescmg in the refusal to execute the 
treaty will not, I am confident, be for a moment enter- 
tained by any branch of this government ; and further 
negotiation upon the subject is equally out of the ques- 
tion. 

If it shall be the pleasure of Congress to await the fur- 
ther action of the French chambers, no further considera- 
tion of the subject will, at this session, probably be requi- 
red at your hands. But if, from the original delay in ask- 
ing for an appropriation ; from the refusal of the cham- 
bers to grant it when asked ; from the omissionno bring 
the subject before the chambers at their last session ; from 
the fact that, including that session, there hare been five 



318 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

different occasions when the appropriation might have 
been made ; and from the delay in convoking the cham- 
bers until some weeks after the meeting of Congress, 
when it was well known that a communication of the 
whole subject to Congress at the last session was prevent- 
ed by assurances that it should be disposed of before its 
present meeting, you should feel yourselves constrained 
to doubt whether it be the intention of the French o'ov- 
ernment, in all its branches, to carry the treaty into effect, 
and think that such measures as the occasion may be 
deemed to call for, should be now adopted, the important 
question arises, what those measures shall be. 

Our institutions are e-ssentially pacific. Peace and 
friendly intercourse with all nations are as much the de- 
sire of our government as they are the interest of our 
people. But these objects are not to be permanently se- 
cured, by surrendering the rights of our citizens, or per- 
mitting solemn treaties for their indemnity, in cases of fla- 
grant wrong, to be abrogated or set aside. 

It is undoubtedly in the power of Congress seriously 
to affect the agricultural and manufacturing interests of 
France, by the passage of laws relating to her trade with 
the United States. Her products, manufactures, and ton- 
nage, may be subjected to heavy duties in our ports, or 
all commercial intercourse with her may be suspended. 
But there are powerful, and to my mind conclusive ob- 
jections to this mode of proceeding. We can not embar- 
rass or cut off the trade of France, without at the same 
time, in some degree, embarrassing or cutting off our own 
trade. The injury of such a warfare must fall, though 
unequally, upon our own citizens, and could not but im- 
pair the means of the government, and weaken that uni- 
ted sentiment in support of the rights and honor of the 
nation which must now pervade every bosom. Nor is it 
impossible that such a course of legislation would intro- 
duce once more into our national councils those disturb- 
ing questions in relation to the tariff' of duties which have 
been so recently put to rest Besides, by every measure 
adopted by the government of the United States, with 
the view of injuring France, the clear perception of right 



SIXTH ANNUAL MESSAGE. 319 

which will induce our own people, and the rulers and 
people of all other nations, even of France herself, to pro- 
nounce our quarrel just, will be obscured, and the support 
rendered to us, in a final resort to more decisive measures, 
will be more hmited and equivocal. There is but one 
point in the controversy, and upon that, the whole civi- 
lized world must pronounce France to be in the wrong. 
We insist that she shall pay us a sum of money, which 
she has acknowledged to be due ; and of the justice of 
this demand there can be but one opinion among man- 
kind. True policy would seem to dictate the question at 
issue should be kept thus disencumbered, and that not 
the slightest pretence should be given to France to per- 
sist in her refusal to make payment, by any act on our 
part affecting the interests of her people. The question 
should be left as it is now, in such an attitude that, when 
France fulhls her treaty stipulations, all controversy will 
be at an end. 

It is my con-viction that the United States ought to in- 
sist on a prompt execution of the treaty, and in case it be 
refused, or longer delayed, take redress into their own 
hands. After the delay on the part of France, of a quar- 
ter of a century, in acknowledging these claims by treaty, 
it is not to be tolerated that another quarter of a century 
is to be wasted in negotiating about the payment. The 
laws of nations provide a remedy for such occasions. It 
is a well-settled principle of the international code, that 
where one nation owes another a liquidated debt, which 
it refuses or neglects to pay, the aggrieved party may 
seize on the property belonging to the other, its citizens 
or subjects, sufficient to pay the debt, without giving just 
cause of war. This remedy has been repeatedly resorted 
to, and recently by France herself toward Portugal, un- 
der circumstances less unquestionable. 

The time at which resort should be had to this, or any 
other mode of redress, is a point to be decided by Con- 
gress. If an appropriation shall not be made by the 
French chambers at their next session, it may justly be 
concluded that the government of France has finally de- 
termined to disregard its own solemn undertaking, and 



320 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

refuse to pay an acknowledged debt. In that event, everv 
day's delay on our part will be a stain upon our national 
honor, as well as a denial of justice to our injured citizens. 
Prompt measures, when the refusal of France shall be 
complete, will not only be most honorable and just, but 
will have the best effect upon our national character. 

Since France, in violation of the pledges given through 
her minister here, has delayed her final action so long 
that her decision will not probably be known in time to 
be communicated to this Congress, I recommend that a 
law be passed authorizing reprisals upon French property, 
in case provision shall not be made for the payment of the 
debt at the approaching session of the French chambers. 
Such a measure ought not to be considered by France as 
a menace. Her pride and power are too well known to 
expect any thing from her fears, and preclude the neces- 
sity of a declaration that*nothing partaking of the charac- 
ter of intimidation is intended by us. She ought to look 
upon it only as the evidence of an inflexible determination 
on the part of the United States to insist on their rights. 
That government, by doing only what it has itself acknow- 
ledged to be just, will be able to spare the United States 
the necessity of taking redress into their own hands, and 
save the property of French citizens from that seizure and 
sequestration which American citizens so long endured 
without retaliation or redress. If she should continue to 
refuse that acknowledged justice, and, in violation of the 
law of nations, make reprisals on our part the occasion of 
hostilities against the United States, she would but add 
violence to injustice, and could not fail to expose herself 
to the just censure of civilized nations, and to the retribu-' 
tive judgments of Heaven. 

Collision with France is the more to be regretted, on 
account of the position she occupies in Europe in relation 
to liberal institutions. But, in maintaining our national 
rights and honor, all governments are alike to us. It', by 
a collision, in a case where she is clearly in the wrong, 
the march of liberal principles shall be impeded, the re- 
sponsibility for that result, as well as every other, will 
rest on her own head. 



SIXTH ANNUAL MESSAGE. 321 

Having submitted these considerations, it belongs to 
Congress to decide whether, after what has taken place, 
it will still await the further action of the French cham- 
bers, or now adopt such provisional measures as it may- 
deem necessary, and best adapted to protect the rights 
and maintain the honor of the country. Whatever that 
decision may be, it will be faithfully enforced by the exe- 
cutive, as far as he is authorized so to do. 

According to the estimates of the treasury department, 
the revenue accruing from all sources, during the present 
year, will amount to twenty millions six hundred and 
twenty-four thousand seven hundred and seventeen dol- 
lars, which, with the balance remaining in the treasury 
on the 1st of January last, eleven millions seven hundred 
and two thousand nine hundred and five dollars, produces 
an aggregate of thirty-two millions three hundred and 
twenty-seven thousand six hundred and twenty-three dol- 
lars. The total expenditure during the year for all ob- 
jects, including the public debt, is estimated at twenty-five 
millions five hundred and ninety-one thousand three hun- 
dred and ninety dollars, which will leave a balance in the 
treasury on the 1st of January, 1835, of six millions seven 
hundred and thirty-six thousand two hundred and thirty- 
two dollars. In this balance, however, will be included 
about one million one hundred and fifty thousand dollars 
of what was heretofore reported by the department as not 
eflfective. 

Of former appropriations it is estimated that there will 
remain unexpended at the close of the year, eight millions 
and two thousand nine hundred and twenty-five dollars, 
and that of this sum there will not be required more than 
five millions one hundred and forty-one thousand nine 
hundred and sixty-four dollars, to accomplish the objects 
of all the current appropriations. Thus it appears that, 
after satisfying all those appropriations, and after discharg- 
ing the last item of our public debt, which will be done 
on the 1st of January next, there will remain unexpended 
in the treasury an effective balance of about four hundred 
and forty thousand dollars. That such should be the as- 
pect of our finances, is highly flattering to the industry 



322 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

and enterprise of our population, and auspicious of ilie 
wealth and prosperity which await the future cultivation 
of their growing resources. It is not deemed prudent, 
however, to recommend any change for the present in our 
impost rates, the effect of the gradual reduction now in 
progress in many of them not being sufficiently tested to 
guide us in determining the precise amount of revenue 
which they will produce. 

Free from public debt, at peace with all the world, and 
with no complicated interest to consult in our intercourse 
with foreign powers, the present may be hailed as that 
epoch in our history the most favorable for the settlement 
of those principles in our domestic policy which shall be 
best calculated to give stabihty to our republic, and secvire 
the blessino-s of freedom to our citizens. Amono- these 
principles, from our past experience it can not be doubted 
that simplicity in the character of the federal government, 
and a rioid economy in its administration, should be re- 
garded as fundamental and sacred. All must be sensible 
that the existence of the public debt, by rendering taxa- 
tion necessary for its extinguishment, has increased the 
difficulties which are inseparable from every exercise of 
the taxing power; and that it was, in this respect, a re- 
mote agent in producing those disturbing questions which 
grew out of the discussions relating to the tariff". If such 
has been the tendency of a debt incurred in the acquisi- 
tion and rhaintenance of our national rights and liberties, 
the obligations of which all portions of the Union cheer- 
fully acknowledged, it must be obvious that whatever is 
calculated to increase the burdens of government without 
necessity, must be fatal to all our hopes of preserving its 
true character. While we are felicitating ourselves, there- 
fore, upon the extinguishment of the national debt, and 
the prosperous state of our finances, let us not be tempted 
to depart from those sound maxims of public police", which 
enjoin a just adaptation of the revenue to the expenditures 
that are consistent with a rigid economy, and an entire 
abstinence from all topics of legislation that are not clear- 
ly within the constitutional powers of the government, and 
suggested by the wants of the country. Properly regard- 



SIXTH ANNUAL MESSAGE. 323 

ed under sucli a policy, every diminution of the public 
burdens, arising from taxation, gives to individual enter- 
prise increased power, and furnishes to all the members 
of our happy confederacy new motives for patriotic affec- 
tion and support. But, above all, its most important 
effect Avill be found in its influence upon the character of 
the government, by confining its action to those objects 
which will be sure to secure to it the attachment and sup- 
port of our fellow-citizens. 

Circumstances make it my duty to call the attention of 
Congress to the bank of the United States. Created for 
the convenience of the government, that institution has 
become the scourge of the people. Its interference to 
postpone the payment of a portion of the national debt, 
that it might retain the pubhc money appropriated for 
that purpose, to strengthen it in a pohtical contest; the 
extraordinary extension and contraction of its accommo- 
dations to the community ; its corrupt and partisan loans ; 
its exclusion of the pubhc directors from a know^ledge of 
its most important proceedings ; the unlimited authority 
conferred on the president to expend its funds in hiring 
writers, and procuring the execution of printing, and the 
use made of that authority ; the retention of the pension 
money and books after the selection of new agents ; the 
groundless claim to heavy damages, in consequence of the 
protest of the bill drawn on the French government, have, 
through various channels, been laid before Congress. Im- 
mediately after the close of the last session, the bank, 
through its president, announced its ability and readiness 
to abandon the system of unparalleled curtailment, and 
the interruption of domestic exchanges, which it had prac- 
tised upon from the 1st of August 1833, to the 30th of 
June, 1834, and to extend its accommodations to the com- 
munity. The grounds assumed in this renunciation 
amounted to an acknowledgment that the curtailment, in 
the extent to which it had been carried, was not necessa- 
ry to the safety of the bank, and had been persisted in 
merely to induce Congress to grant the prayer of the 
bank in its memorial relative to the removal of the depo- 
sites, and to give it a new charter. They were substan- 



324 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

tially a confession that all the real distresses which indi- 
viduals and the country had endured for the preceding 
six or eight months had been needlessly produced by it, 
with the view of affecting, through the sufferings of the 
people, the legislative action of CongTCss. It is a subject 
of congratulation that Congress and the country had the 
virtue and firmness to bear the affliction ; that the ener- 
gies of our people soon found relief from this wanton tyr- 
ranny, in vast importations of the precious metals from 
almost every part of the world : and that, at the close of 
this tremendous effort to control our government, the 
bank found itself powerless, and no longer able to loan out 
its surplus means. The community had learned to man- 
age its affairs without its assistance, and trade had already 
found new auxiliaries; so that, on the 1st of October last, 
the extraordinary spectacle was presented of a national 
bank, more than one half of whose capital was either lying 
unproductive in its vaults, or in the hands of foreign bank- 
ers. 

To the needless distresses brought on the country dur- 
ing the last session of Congress has since been added the 
open seizure of the dividends on the pubhc stock, to the 
amount of one hundred and seventy thousand and forty- 
one dollars, under pretence of paying damages, cost, and 
interest, upon the protested French bill. This sum con- 
stituted a portion of the estimated revenues for the year 
1834, upon which the appropriations made by Congress 
were based. It would as soon have been expected that 
our collectors would seize on the customs, or the receivers 
of our land offices on the moneys arising from the sale of 
public lands, under pretences of claims against the United 
States, as that the bank would have retained the divi- 
dends. Indeed, if the principle be established that any 
one who chooses to set up a claim against the United 
States may, without authority of law, seize on the public 
property or money wherever he can find it, to pay the 
claim, there will remain no assurance that our revenue 
will reach the treasury, or that it will be applied after the 
appropriation to the purposes designated in the law. The 
paymasters of our army and the pursers of our navy, may. 



SIXTH ANNUAL MESSAGE. 325 

under like pretences, apply to their own use moneys ap- 
propriated to set in motion the public force, and in time 
of war leave the country without defence. This measure 
resorted to by the bank is disorganizing and revolutiona- 
ry, and, if generally resorted to by private citizens in like 
cases, would fill the land with anarchy and violence. 

It is a constitutional provision, that " no money shall be 
drawn from the treasury but in consequence of appropri- 
ations made by law." The palpable object of this provi- 
sion is to prevent the expenditure of the public money 
for any purpose whatsoever, which shall not have been 
first approved by the representative-s of the people and 
the states in Congress assembled. It vests the power of 
declaring for what purpose the public money shall be ex- 
pended in the legislative department of the government, 
to the exclusion of the executive and judicial, and it is not 
wdthin the constitutional authority of either of those de- 
partments to pay it away without law, or to sanction its 
payment. According to this plain constitutional provi- 
sion, the claim of the bank can never be paid without an 
appropriation by act of Congress. But the bank has 
never asked for an appropriation. It attempts to defeat 
the provisions of the constitution, and obtain payment 
without an act of Congress. Instead of awaiting an ap- 
propriation passed by both houses, and approved by the 
president, it makes an appropriation for itself, and invites 
an appeal to the judiciary to sanction it. That the money 
has not technically been paid into the treasury, does not 
affect the principle intended to be established by the con- 
stitution. The executive and judiciary^ have as little right 
to appropriate and expend the pubhc money without au- 
thority or law, before it is placed to the credit of the trea- 
surer, as to take it from the ti'easury. In the annual 
report of the secretary of the treasury, and in his corre- 
spondence with the president of the bank, and the opi- 
nion of the attorney-general accompanying it, you will 
find a further examination of the claim of the bank, and 
the course it has pursued. 

It seems due to the safety of the public funds remain- 
mg in that bank, and to the honor of the American pec- 



326 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

pie, that measures be taken to separate the government 
entirely from an institution so mischievous to the public 
prosperity, and so regardless of the constitution and laws. 
By transferring the public deposites, by appointing other 
pension agents, as far as it had the power, by ordering 
the discontinuance of the receipt of bank checks in pay- 
ment of the public dues after the first day of January 
next, the executive has exerted all its lawful authority to 
sever the connexion between the government and this 
faithless corporation. 

The high-handed career of this institution imposes upon 
the constitutional functionaries of this government, duties 
of the gravest and most imperative character — duties 
which they can not avoid, and from which I trust there 
will be no inchnation on the part of any of them to shrink. 
My own sense of them is most clear, as is also my readi- 
ness to discharge those which may rightfully fall on me. 
To continue any business relations with the bank of the 
United States, that may be avoided without a violation of 
the national faith, after that institution has set at open 
defiance the conceded right of the government to examine 
its affairs ; after it has done all in its power to deride the 
public authority in other respects, and to bring it into 
disrepute at home and abroad ; after it has attempted to 
defeat the clearly expressed will of the people, by turning 
against them the immense power intrusted to its hands, 
and by involving a country otherwise peaceful, fl^ourish- 
ing, and happy, in dissension, embarrassment, and dis- 
tress ; would make the nation itself a party to the degra- 
dation so sedulously prepared for its public agents, and do 
much to destroy the confidence of mankind in popular 
governments, and to bring into contempt their authority 
and efficiency. In guarding against an evil of such mag- 
nitude, considerations of temporary convenience should 
be thrown out of the question, and we should be influ- 
enced by such motives only as look to the honor and pre- 
servation of the republican sj^stem. Deeply and solemnly 
impressed with the justice of these views, I feel it to be 
my duty to recommend to you that a law be passed au- 
thorizing the sale of the public stock ; that the provisions 



SIXTH ANNUAL MESSAGE. 327 

of the charter requirino- the receipt of notes of the bank 
in payment of piibhc dues, shall, in accordance with the 
power reserved to Congress in the 14th section of the 
charter, be suspended until the bank pays to the treasury 
the dividends withheld ; and that all laws, connecting the 
government or its officers with the bank, directly or indi- 
rectly, be repealed ; and that the institution be left here- 
after to its own resources and means. 

Events have satisfied my mind, and I think the minds 
of the American people, that the mischiefs and dangers 
which flow from a national bank far overbalance all its 
advantages. The bold effort the present bank has made 
to control the government, the distresses it has wantonly 
produced, the violence of which it has been the occasion 
in one of our cities famed for the observance of law and 
order, are but premonitions of the fate which awaits the 
American people, should they be deluded into a perpetua- 
tion of this institution, or the establishment of another like 
it. It is fervently hoped that, thus admonished, those 
who have heretofore favored the establishment of a sub- 
stitute for the present bank, will be induced to abandon 
it, as it is evidently better to incur any inconvenience that 
may be reasonably expected, than to concentrate the 
whole moneyed power of the republic, in any form what- 
soever, under any restrictions. 

Happily, it is already illustrated that the agency of such 
an institution is not necessary to the fiscal operations of 
the government. The state banks are found fully ade- 
quate to the performance of aU services which were re- 
quired of the bank of the United States, quite as promptly 
and with the same cheapness. They have maintained 
themselves, and discharged all these duties, Avhile the 
bank of the United States was still powerful, and in the 
field as an open enemy; and it is not possible to perceive 
that they will find greater difficulties in their operations 
when that enemy shall cease to exist. 

The attention of Congress is earnestly invited to the 
regulation of the deposites in the state banks by law. Al- 
though the power now exercised by the executive depart- 



328 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

ment in this behalf, is only such as was uniformly exerted 
through every administration, from the origin of the gov- 
ernment up to the establishment of the present bank, yet 
it is one which is susceptible of regulation by law, and 
therefore ought so to be regulated. The power of Con- 
gress to direct in what places the treasurer shall keep the 
moneys in the treasury, and to impose restrictions upon 
the executive authority in relation to their custody and 
removal, is unlimited, and its exercise will rather be court- 
ed than discouraged by those public officers and agents 
on whom rests the responsibility for their safety. It is 
desirable that as little power as possible should be left to 
the president or secretary of the treasury over those insti- 
tutions v/hich, being thus freed from executive influence, 
and without a common head to direct their operations, 
Avould have neither the temptation nor the ability to inter- 
fere in the political conflicts of the country. Not deriving 
their charters from the national authorities, they would 
never have those inducements to meddle in general elec- 
tions which have led the bank of the United States to 
agitate and convulse the country for upward of two years. 

The progress of our gold coinage is creditable to the 
officers of tiie mint, and promises in a short period to fur- 
nish the country with a sound and portable currency, 
which will much diminish the inconvenience to travellers 
of the want of a general paper currency, should the state 
banks be incapable of furnishing it. Those institutions 
have already shown themselves competent to purchase 
and furnish domestic exchange for the convenience of 
trade, at reasonable rates, and not a doubt is entertained 
that in a short period, all the wants of the country, in bank 
accommodations and in exchange, will be supplied as 
promptly and cheaply as they have heretofore been by 
the bank of the United States. If the several states shall 
be induced gradually to reform their banking systems, 
and prohibit the issue of all small notes, we shall, in a few 
years, have a currency as sound, and as little hable to 
fluctuations, as any other commercial country. 

The report of the secretary of war, together with ac- 



SIXTH ANNUAL MESSAGE. 329 

companying documents from the several bureaus of that 
department will exhibit the situation of the various objects 
committed to its administration. 

No event has occurred since your last session, render- 
ing necessary any movements of the army, with the ex- 
ception of the expedition of the regiment of dragoons into 
the territory of the wandering and predatory tribes inlia- 
biting the western frontier, and hving adjacent to the 
Mexican boundary. These tribes have been heretofore 
known to us principally by their attacks upon our own 
citizens, and upon other Indians entitled to the protection 
of the United States. It became necessary for the peace 
of the frontiers, to check these habitual inroads, and I am 
happy to inform you that the object has been effected 
without the commission of any act of hostility. Colonel 
Dodge, and the troops under his command, have acted 
with equal hrniness and humanity, and an arrangement 
has been made with those Indians, which it is hoped will 
insure their permanent pacific relations with the United 
States, and the other tribes of Indians upon that border. 

It is to be regretted that the prevalence of sickness in 
that quarter has deprived the country of a number of va- 
luable lives, and particularly thai of General Leavenworth, 
an officer well known and esteemed for his oallant servi- 
ces during the late war, and for subsequent good conduct, 
who has fallen a victim to his zeal and exertions in the 
discharge of his duty. 

The army is in a high state of discipline. Its moral 
condition, so far as that is known here, is good, and the 
various branches of the public service are carefully attend- 
ed to. It is amply sufficient, under its present organiza- 
tion, for providing the necessary garrisons for the sea- 
board, and for the defence of the internal frontier, and 
also for preserving the elements of military knowledge, 
and for keeping pace with those improvements which 
modern experience is continually making. And these ob- 
jects appear to me to embrace all the legitimate purposes 
for which a permanent mihtary force should be maintain- 
ed in our country. The lessons of history teach us its 
danger, and the tendency which exists to an increase. 



330 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

This can be best met and averted by a just caution on 
the part of the pubhc itself, and of those who represent 
them in Congress. 

From the duties which devolve on the engineer depart- 
ment, and upon the topographical engineers, a different 
organization seems to be demanded by the public inte- 
rest, and I recommend the subject to your consideration. 

y.o important change has, during this season, taken 
place in the condition of the Indians. Arrangements are 
in progress for the removal of the Creeks, and will soon 
be for the removal of the Seminoles. I regret that the 
Cherokees east of the Mississippi have not yet determined 
as a community to remove. How long the personal cau- 
ses which have hitherto retarded that ultimately inevita- 
ble measure will continue to operate, I am unable to con- 
jecture. It is certain, however, that delay will bring with 
it accumulated evils, which will render their condition 
more and more unpleasant. The experience of every 
year adds to the conviction that emigration, and that 
alone, can preserve from destruction the remnant of tribes 
yet Hving among us. The facility with which the neces- 
saries of life are procured, and the treaty stipulations pro- 
viding aid for the emigrant Indians in their agricultural 
pursuits and in the important concern of education, and 
their removal from those causes which have heretofore 
depressed all, and destroyed many of the tribes, can not 
fail to stimulate their exertions, and to reward their indus- 
try. 

The two laws passed at the last session of Congress 
on the subject of Indian affairs, have been carried into 
effect, and detailed instructions for their administration 
have been given. It will be seen by the estimates for 
the present session, that a great reduction will take place 
in the expenditures of the department in consequence of 
these laws, and there is reason to believe that their ope- 
ration will be salutary, and that the colonization of the 
Indian on the western frontier, together with a judicious 
system of administration, will still further reduce the ex- 
penses of this branch of the public service, and at the 
same time promote its usefulness and efficiency. 



SIXTH ANNUAL MESSAGE. S31 

Circumstances have been recently developed, showmri- 
the existence of extensive frauds under the various laws 
granting pensions and gratuities for revolutionary services. 

It is impossible to estimate the amount which may have 
been thus fraudulently obtained from the national treasu- 
ry. I am satistied, however, that it has been such as to 
justify a re-examination of the system, and the adoption 
of the necessary checks in its administration. All will 
agree that the services and suffering's of the remnant of 
our revolutionary band should be fully compensated ; but 
"while this is done, every proper precaution should be 
taken to prevent the admission of fabricated and fi-audu- 
lent claims. In the present mode of proceeding, the at- 
testations and certificates of judicial officers of the various 
states form a considerable portion of the checks which are 
interposed against the commission of frauds. These, how- 
ever, have been and may be fabricated, and in such a 
way as to elude detection at the examining offices ; and 
independently of this practical difficulty, it is ascertained 
that these documents are often loosely granted; some- 
times even blank certificates have been issued ; sometimes 
prepared papers have been signed without inquiry; and 
in one instance, at least, the seal of the court has been 
within reach of a person most interested in its improper 
application. It is obvious that under such circumstances, 
no severity of administration can check the abuse of the 
law ; and information has from time to time been commu- 
nicated to the pension office, questioning or denying the 
right of persons placed upon the pension list to the bounty 
of the country. Such cautions are always attended to, 
and examined, but a far more general investigation is 
called for; and I therefore recommend, in conformity with 
the suggestion of the secretary of war, that an actual 
inspection should be made in each state, into the circum- 
stances and claims of every person now drawing a pension. 
The honest veteran has nothing to fear from such a scru- 
tiny, while the fraudulent claimant will be detected, and 
the pubhc treasury reheved to an amount, I have reason 
to believe, far greater than has heretofore been suspected. 
The details of such a plan could be so regulated as to 

15 



332 LITE OF JACKSON. 

interpose the necessary checks without any burdensome 
operation upon the pensioners. The object should be 
twofold : — 

1. To look into the original justice of the claims, so far 
as this can be done under a proper system of regulations, 
by an examination of the claimants themselves, and by 
inquiring in the vicinity of their residence into their his- 
tory, and into the opinion entertained of their revolutiona- 
ry services; 

2. To ascertain, in all cases, whether the original claim- 
ant is hving, and this by actual personal inspection. 

This measure will, if adopted, be productive, I think, of 
the desired results, and I therefore recommend it to your 
consideration, with the further suggestion, that all pay- 
ments should be suspended till the necessary reports are 
received. 

It will be seen by a tabular statement annexed to the 
documents transmitted to Congress, that the appropria- 
tions for objects connected with the war department 
made at the last session, for the service of the year 1834, 
excluding the permanent appropriation for the payment 
of military gratuities under the act of June 7, 1832, the 
appropriation of two hundred thousand dollars for arming 
and equipping the militia, and the appropriation of ten 
thousand dollars for the civilization of the Indians, which 
are not annually renewed, amounted to the sum of nine 
milhons three thousand two hundred and sixty-one dol- 
lars, and that the estimates of appropriations necessary 
for the same branches of service for the year 1835, 
amount to the sura of five millions seven hundred and 
seventy-eight thousand nine hundred and sixty-four dol- 
lars, making a difference in the appropriations of the cur- 
rent year over the estimates of the appropriations for the 
next, of three millions two hundred and twenty-four thou- 
sand two hundred and ninety-seven dollars. 

The principal causes which have operated at this time 
to produce this great difference, are shown in the reports 
and documents, and in the detailed estimates. Some of 
these causes are accidental and temporary, while others 
are permanent^ and, aided by a just course of adminstra* 



SIXTH ANNUAL MESSAGE. 333 

tion, may continue to operate beneficially upon the public 
expenditures. 

A just economy, expending where the public service 
requires, and withholding where it does not, is among the 
indispensable duties of the government. 

I refer you to the accompanying report of the secretaiy 
of the navy, and to the documents with it, for a full view 
of the operations of that important branch of our service 
during the present year. It will be seen that the wisdom 
and liberality with which Congress have provided for the 
gradual increase of our navy material, have been seconded 
by a corresponding zeal and fidelity on the part of those 
to whom has been confided the execution of the laws on 
the subject; and that but a short period would be now 
required to put in commission a force large enough for 
any exigency into which the country may be thrown. 

When we reflect upon our position in relation to other 
nations, it must be apparent that, in the event of conflicts 
with them, we must look chiefly to our navy for the pro- 
tection of our national rights. The wide seas which sepa- 
rate us from other governments, must of necessity be the 
theatre on which an enemy will aim to assail us, and, un- 
less we are prepared to meet him on this element, we 
can not be said to possess the power requisite to repel or 
prevent aggressions. We can not, therefore, watch with 
too much attention this arm of our defence, or cherish 
with too much care the means by which it can possess 
the necessary efficiency and extension. To this end our 
policy has been heretofore wisely directed to the constant 
employment of a force sufficient to guard our commerce, 
and to the rapid accumulation of the materials which are 
necessciry to repair our vessels, and construct with ease 
such new ones as may be required in a state of war. 

In accordance with this policy, I recommend to your 
consideration the erection of the additional dry-dock de- 
scribed by the secretary of the navy, and also the con- 
struction of the steam-batteries to which he has refen-ed, 
for the purpose of testing their efficiency as auxiharies to 
the system of defence now in use. 

The report of the postmaster-general, herewith submit- 



334 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

ted, exhibits the condition and prospects of that depart- 
ment. From that document it appears that there was a 
deficit in the funds of the department, at the commence' 
ment of the present year, beyond its available means, of 
three hundred and fifteen thousand five hundred and 
ninety-nine dollars and ninety-eight cents, which, on the 
first of July last, had been reduced to two hundred and 
sixty-eight thousand and ninety-two dohars and seventy- 
four cents. It appears, also, that the revenues for the 
coming year will exceed the expenditures about two hun- 
dred and seventy thousand dollars, which, with the excess 
of the revenue which will result from the operations of 
the current half-year, may be expected, independently of 
any increase in the gross amount of postages, to supply 
the entire deficit before the end of 1835. But as this 
calculation is based on the gross amount of postages which 
have accrued within the period embraced by the times of 
striking the balances, it is obvious that, without a progres- 
sive increase in the amount of postages, the existing re- 
trenchments must be persevered in through the year 
1836, that the department may accumulate a surplus fund 
sufficient to place it in a condition of perfect ease. 

It will be observed that the revenues of the postoffice 
department, though they have increased, and their amount 
is above that of any former year, have yet fallen short of 
jhe estimates more than a hundred thousand dollars. 
This is attributed, in a great degree, to the increase of free 
letters, PTOwino; out of the extension and abuse of the 
franking privilege. There has been a gradual increase 
in the number of executive officers to which it has been 
granted; and by an act passed in March, 1833, it was 
extended to members of Cono-ress tlirouo-hout the whole 
year. It is believed that a revision of the laws relative 
to the franking privilege, with some enactments to enforce 
more rigidly the restrictions under which it is granted, 
would operate beneficially to the country, by enabling the 
department at an early period to restore the mail facilities 
which have been withdrawn, and to extend them more 
widely, as the growing settlement of the country may 
require. 



SIXTH ANNUAL MESSAGE. 335 

To a measure so important to the government, and so 
just to our constituents, who ask no exclusive privileo-es 
for themselves, and are not wiUing to concede them to 
others, I earnestly recommend the serious attention of 
Congress. 

The importance of the postoffice department, and the 
magnitude to which it has grown, both in its revenues 
and in its operations, seem to demand its reorganization 
by law. The whole of its receipts and disbursements 
have hitherto been left entirely to executive control and 
individual discretion. The principle is as sound in rela- 
tion to this as to any other department of the government, 
that as httle discretion should be confided to the executive 
officer who controls it, as is compatible with its etiiciency. 
It is therefore earnestly recommended that it be organized 
with an auditor and treasury of its own, appointed by the 
president and senate, who shall be branches of the treasu- 
ry department. 

Your attention is again respectfully invited to the 
defect which exists in the judicial system of the United 
States. Nothing can be more desirable than the uniform 
operation of the federal judiciary throughout the several 
states, all of which, standing on the same footing as mem- 
bers of the Union, have equal rights to the advantages 
and benefits resulting from its laws. This object is not 
attained by the judicial acts now in force, because they 
leave one-fourth of the states without circuit courts. 

It is undoubtedly the duty of Congress to place all the 
states on the same footing in this respect, either by the 
creation of an additional number of associate judges, or 
by an enlargement of the circuits assigned to those al- 
ready appointed, so as to include the new states. \\ hat- 
ever may be the difficulty in a proper organization of the 
judicial system, so as to secure its efficiency and unifor- 
mity in all parts of the Union, and at the same time to 
avoid such an increase of judges as would encumber the 
supreme appellate tribunal, it should not be allowed to 
w^eigh against the great injustice which the present ope- 
ration of the system produces. 

I trust that I may be also pardoned for renewing the 



S36 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

recommendations I have so often submitted to your atten- 
tion, in regard to the mode of electing the president and 
vice-president of the United States. All the reflection I 
have been able to bestow upon the subject increases my 
conviction that the best interests of the country will be 
promoted by the adoption of some plan which will secure, 
in all contingencies, that important right of sovereignty 
to the direct control of the people. Could this be 
attained, and the terms of those officers be limited to a 
single period of either four or six years, I think our liber- 
ties would possess an additional safeguard. 

At your last session I called the attention of Congress 
to the destruction of the public building occupied by the 
treasury department. As the public interest requires 
that another building should be erected with as little de- 
lay as possible, it is hoped that the means will be season- 
ably provided, and that they Avill be ample enough to 
authorize such an enlargement and improvement in the 
plan of the building as will more effectually accommodate 
the public officers, and secure the pubhc documents 
deposited in it from the casualties of fire. 

I have not been able to satisfy myself that the bill 
entitled, " An act to improve the navigation of the Wa- 
bash river," which was sent to me at the close of your 
last session, ought to pass, and I have therefore withheld 
from it my approval, and now return it to the senate, the 
body in which it originated. 

There can be no question connected with the adminis 
tration of public affairs, more important, or more difficult 
to be satisfactorily dealt with, than- that which relates to 
the rightful authority and proper action of the federal 
government upon the subject of internal improvements. 
To inherent embarrassments ha ve been added others 
resulting from the course of our legislation concerning it. 

I have heretofore communicated freely with Congress 
upon this subject, and, in adverting to it again, I can not 
refrain from expressing my increased conviction of its 
extreme importance, as well in regard to its bearing upon 
the maintenance of the constitution, and the prudent 
management of the public revenue, as on account of its 
disturbing effect upon the harmony of the Union. 



SIXTH ANNUAL MESSAGE. 337 

We are in no danger from \dolations of the constitution, 
by which encroachments are made upon the personal 
rights of the citizens. Tlie sentence of condemnation 
long since pronounced by the American people upon acts 
of that character, will, I doubt not, continue to prove as 
salutary in its effects as it is irreversible in its nature. 
But against the dangers of unconstitutional acts Avhich, 
instead of menacing the vengeance of offended authority, 
proffer local advantages, and bring in their train the 
patronage of the government, we are, I fear, not so safe. 
To suppose that, because our government has been insti- { 
tuted for the benefit of the people, it must therefore have ' 
the power to do whatever may seem to conduce to the 
public good, is an error into which even honest minds are 
too apt to fall. In yielding themselves to this fallacy, 
they overlook the great considerations in which the fede- 
ral constitution was founded. They forget that, in con- 
sequence of the conceded diversities in the interest and 
condition of the different states, it was foreseen, at the 
period of its adoption, that, although a particular measure 
of the government might be beneficial and proper in one 
state, it might be the reverse in another — that it was for 
this reason the states would not consent to make a grant 
to the federal government of the general and usual pow- 
ers of government, but of such only as were specifically 
enumerated, and the probable effects of w^hich they could, 
as they thought, safely anticipate ; and they forget also 
the paramount obligation upon all to abide by the com- 
pact, then so solemnly, and as it was hoped, so firmly 
estabhshed. In addition to the dangers to the constitu- 
tion springing from the sources I have stated, there has 
been one which was perhaps greater than a'l. I allude 
to the materials which this subject has afforded for sinister 
appeals to selfish feelings, and the opinion heretofore so 
extensively entertained of its adaptation to the purposes 
of personal ambition. With such stimulants, it is not 
surprising that the acts and pretensions of the federal 
government, in this behalf, should sometimes have been 
carried to an alarming extent. The questions which have 
arisen upon this subject have related — 



338 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

1. To the power of making internal improvements with- 
in the limits of a state, with the right of territorial juris- 
diction, suflScient at least for tlieir preservation and use ; 

2. To the right of appropriating money in aid of such 
works when carried on by a state, or by a company in 
virtue of state authority, surrendering the claim of juris- 
diction ; and, 

3. To the propriety of appropriations for improvements 
of a particular class, \iz., for hghthouses, beacons, buoys, 
public piers, and for the removal of sandbars, sawyers, and 
other temporary and partial impediments in our navigable 
rivers and harbors. 

The claims of power for the general government- upon 
each of these points certainly present matter of the deep- 
est interest. The first is, however, of much the greatest 
importance, inasmuch as, in addition to the dangers of 
unequal and improvident expenditures of pubhc moneys, 
common to all, there is superadded to that the conflicting 
jurisdictions of the respective governments. Federal 
jurisdiction, at least to the extent I have stated, has been 
regarded by its advocates as necessarily appurtenant lo 
the power in question, if that exists by the constitution. 
That the most injurious conflicts would unavoidably arise 
between the respective jurisdictions of the state and fede- 
ral governments, in the absence of a constitutional provi- 
sion marking out their respective boundaries, can not be 
doubted. The local advantao-es to be obtained would 
induce the states to overlook in the beginning the dangers 
and difficulties to which they might ultimately be ex- 
posed. The powers exercised by the federal government 
would soon be regarded with jealousy by the state author- 
ities, and originating, as they rnust, from implication or 
assumption, it would be impossible to affix to them certain 
and safe limits. Opportunities and temptations to the 
assumption of power incompatible with state sovereignty, 
would be increased, and those barriers which resist the 
tendency of our system toward consolidation, greatly 
weakened. The officers and airents of the o-eneral p-ov- 
ernment might not always have the discretion to abstiiin 
from intermeddling with state concerns ; and if they did. 



SIXTH ANNUAL MESSAGE. -§89 

they would not always escape the suspicion of having 
done so. Collisions and consequent irritations would 
spring up ; that harmony which should ever exist between 
the general government and each member of the confede- 
racy, would be frequently interrupted ; a spirit of conten- 
tion would be engendered; and the dangers of division 
greatly multiphed. 

Yet Ave all know that, notwithstanding these grave 
objections, this dangerous doctrine was at one time, appa- 
rently, proceeding to its final establishment with fearful 
rapidity. The desire to embark the federal government 
in works of internal improvement, prevailed in the highest 
deo-ree durino- the first session of the first Conerress that 
I had the honor to meet m my present situation. When 
the bill authorizing a subscription on the part of the 
United States for stock in the Maysville and Lexington 
turnpike company, passed the two houses, there had been 
reported by the committees on internal improvements, 
bills containing, appropriations for such objects, exclusive 
of those for the Cumberland road, and for harbors and 
lighthouses, to the amount of about one hundred and six 
millions of dollars. In this amount was included author- 
ity to the secretary of the treasury to subscribe for the 
stock of diflerent companies to a great extent, and the 
residue was principally for the direct construction of roads 
by this government. In addition to these projects, which 
have been presented to the two houses under the sanction 
and recommendation of their respective committees on 
internal improvements, there were then still pending be- 
fore the committees, and in memorials to Congress, pre- 
sented, but not referred, different projects for works of a 
similar character, the expense of which can not be esti- 
mated with certainty, but must have exceeded one hun- 
dred millions of dollars. 

Regarding the bill authorizing a subscription to the 
stock of the Maysville and Lexington turnpike company 
as the entering wedge of a system which, however weak 
at first, might soon become strong enough to rive the 
bands of the Union asunder; and believing that, if its 
passage was acquiesced in by the executive and the peo- 

15* 



340 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

pie, there would no longer be any limitation upon the 
authority of the general government in respect to the 
appropriation of money for such objects, I deemed it an 
imperative duty to withhold from it the executive appro- 
val. Although, from the obviously local character of that 
work, I might well have contented myself with a refusal 
to approve the bill upon that ground, yet, sensible of the 
vital importance of the subject, and anxious that my 
views and opinions in regard to the whole matter should 
be fully understood by Congress, and by my constituents, 
I felt it my duty to go further. I therefore embraced 
that early occasion to apprize Congress that, in my opinion, 
the constitution did not confer upon it the power to 
authorize the construction of ordinary roads and canals 
within the limits of a state, and to say, respectfully, that 
no bill admitting such a power could receive my official 
sanction. I did so in the confident expectation that the 
speedy settlement of the pubhc mind upon the whole 
subject would be greatly facilitated by the difference 
between the two houses and myself, and that the harmo- 
nious action of the several departments of the federal 
government in regard to it would be ultimately secured. 

So far, at least, as it regards this branch of the subject, 
my best hopes have been realized. Nearly four years 
have elapsed, and several sessions of Congress have inter- 
vened, and no attempt within my recollection has been 
made to induce Congress to exercise this power. The 
applications for the construction of roads and canals, which 
were formerly multiplied upon your files, are no longer 
presented ; and we have good reason to infer that the cur- 
rent of public sentiment has become so decided against 
the pretension as effectually to discourage its reassertion. 
So thinking, I derive the greatest satisfaction from the 
conviction that thus much at least has been secured upon 
this important and embarrassing subject. 

From attempts to appropriate the national funds to ob- 
jects which are confessedly of a local character, we can 
not, I trust, have anything further to apprehend. My 
views in regard to the expediency of making appropria- 
tions for works which are claimed to be of a national cha- 



SIXTH ANNUAL MESSAGE. 341 

racter, and prosecuted under state authority, assumino- 
that Congress have the right to do so, were stated in my 
annual message to Congress in 1830, and also in that con- 
taining my objections to the Maysville road bill. 

So thoroughly convinced am I that no such appropria- 
tions ought to be made by Congress, until a suitable con- 
stitutional provision is made upon the subject, and so 
essential do I regard the point to the highest interests of 
our country, that I could not consider myself as discharg- 
ing my duty to my constituents in giving the executive 
sanction to any bill containing such an appropriation. If 
the people of the United States desire that the public 
treasury shall be resorted to for the means to prosecute 
such works, they will concur in an amendment of the con- 
stitution, prescribing a rule by which the national charac- 
ter of the works is to be tested, and by which the great- 
est practicable equality of benefits may be secured to each 
member of the confederacy. The effects of such a regu- 
lation would be most salutary in preventing unprofitable 
expenditures, in securing our legislation from the perni- 
cious consequences of a scramble for the favors of govern- 
ment, and in repressing the spirit of discontent Avhich* 
must inevitably arise from an unequal distribution of trea- 
sures which belono' alike to all. 

There is another class of appropriations for what may 
be called, without impi-opriet}^ internal improvements, 
which have always been regarded as standing upon dif- 
ferent grounds from those to which I have referred. I 
allude to such as have for their object the improvement 
of our harbors, the removal of partial and temporary ob- 
structions in our navigable rivers, for the facility and secu- 
rity of our foreign commerce. The grounds upon which 
I distinguished appropriations of this character from oth- 
ers have already been stated to Congress. I will now- 
only add that, at the first session of Congress undei the 
new constitution, it was provided by law, that all expen- 
ses which should accrue from and after the 15th day of 
August, 1789, in the necessary support and maintenance 
and repairs of all liglU-houses, beacons, buoys, and public 
piers, erected, placed, or sunk, before the passage of the 



342 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

act, within any bay, inlet, harbor, or port of the United 
States, for rendering the navigation thereof easy and safe, 
should be defrayed out of the treasury of the United 
States; and further, that it be the duty of the secretary 
of the treasury to provide by contracts, with the approba- 
tion of the President, for rebuilding when necessary and 
keeping in good repair the hghthouses, beacons, buoys, 
and public piers, in the several states and for furnishing 
them with supphes. Appropriations for similar objects 
have been continued from that time to the present with- 
out interruption or dispute. As a natural consequence 
of the increase and extension of our foreign commerce, 
ports of entry and delivery have been multiplied and 
established, not only upon our seaboard, but in the inte- 
rior of the country, upon our lakes and navigable rivers. 
The convenience and safety of this commerce have led to 
the gradual extension of these expenditures ; to the erec- 
tion of lighthouses, the placing, planting and sinking of 
. buoys, beacons, and piers, and to the removal of partial 
and temporary obstructions in our navigable rivers, and 
the harbors upon our great lakes, as well as on the sea- 
board. Although I expressed to Congress my apprehen- 
sion that these expenditures have sometimes been extra- 
vagant and disproportionate to the advantages to be de- 
rived from them,. I have not felt it to be my duty to refuse 
my assent to bills containing them, and have contented 
myself to follow, in this respect, in the footsteps of all my 
predecessors. Sensible, however, from experience and 
observation, of the great abuses to w^hich the unrestricted 
exercise of this authority by Congress was exposed, I have 
prescribed a hmitation for the government of my own 
conduct, by which expenditures of this character are con- 
fined to places below the ports of entry or delivery estab- 
lished by law. I am very sensible that this restriction is 
not as satisfactory as could be desired, and that much 
embarrassment may be caused to the executive depart- 
ment in its execution, by appropriations for remote and 
not well-understood objects. But as neither my own re- 
flections, nor the hghts which I may properly derive from 
other sources, have supplied me with a better, I shall con- 



SIXTH ANNUAL MESSAGE. 343 

tinue to apply my best exertions to a faithful application 
of the rule upon which it is founded, I sincerely regret 
that I could not give my assent to the bill entitled, "An 
act to improve the navigation of the Wabash river ;" but 
I could not have done so without receding from the 
ground which I have, upon the fullest consideration, taken 
upon this subject, and of which Congress has been here- 
tofore apprized, and without throwing the subject again 
open to abuses which no good citizen, entertaining my 
opinions, could desire. 

I rely upon the intelligence and candor of my fellow- 
citizens, in whose liberal indulgence I have already so 
largely participated, for a correct appreciation of my mo- 
tives in interposing, as I have done, on this, and other oc- 
casions, checks to a course of legislation which, without, 
in the slightest degree, calling in question the motives of 
others, I consider as sanctioning improper and unconstitu- 
tional expenditures of public treasure. 

I am not hostile to internal improvements, and wish to 
see them extended to every part of the country. But I 
am fully persuaded, if they are not commenced in a pro- 
per manner, confined to proper objects, and conducted 
under an authority generally conceded to be rightful, that 
a successful prosecution of them can not be reasonably 
expected. The attempt will meet with resistance where 
it might otherwise receive support ; and instead of strength- 
ening the bonds of our confederacy, it will only multiply 
and aggravate the causes of disunion. 



344 LIFE or JACKSON. 



MESSAGE IN RELATION TO TEXAS. 

Delivered December 2l5f, 1836. 

To the Senate of the United States : — 

During the last session, information was given to Con- 
gress by the executive, that measures had been taken to 
ascertain "the poHtical, miUtary, and civil condition of 
Texas." I now submit for your consideration, extracts 
from the report of the agent who had been appointed to 
collect it, relative to the condition of that country. 

No steps have been taken by the executive toward the 
acknowledgment of the independence of Texas ; and the 
whole subject would have been left without further re- 
mark on the information now given to Congress, were it 
not that the two houses at their last session, acting sepa- 
rately, passed resolutions " that the independence of Texas 
ought to be acknowledged by the United States, when- 
ever satisfactory information should be received that it 
had in successful operation a civil government, capable of 
performing the duties, and fulfilling the obligations of 
an independent power." This mark of interest in the 
question of the independence of Texas, and indication of 
the views of Congress, make it proper that I should, some- 
what in detail, present the considerations that have gov- 
erned the executive in continuing to occupy the ground 
previously taken in the contest between Mexico and Texas. 

The acknowledgment of a new state as independent, and 
entitled to a place in the family of nations, is at all times 
an act of great delicacy and responsibility ; but more espe- 
cially so when such state has forcibly separated itself from 
another, of which it had formed an integral part, and 
which still claims dominion over it. A premature recog- 
nition under these circumstances, if not looked upon as 



MESSAGE IN RELATION TO TEXAS. 345 

justifiable cause of war, is always liable to be regarded as 
a proof of an unfriendly spirit to one of the contending 
parties. All questions relative to the government of for- 
eign nations, whether of the old or new world, have been 
treated by the United States as questions of fact only, and 
our predecessors have cautiously abstained from deciding 
upon them until the clearest evidence was in their pos- 
session, to enable them, not only to decide correctly, but 
to shield their decisions from every unworthy imputation. 
In all the contests that have arisen out of the revolutions 
of France, out of the disputes relating to the crowns of 
Portugal and Spain, out of the separation of the Ameri- 
can possessions of both from the European governments, 
and out of the numerous and constantly occurring strug- 
gles for dominion in Spanish America, so wisely consistent 
with our just principles has been the action of our govern- 
ment, that we have, under the most critical circumstances, 
avoided all censure, and encountered no other evil than 
that produced by a transient estrangement of good will in 
those against whom we have been by force of evidence 
compelled to decide. 

It has thus made known to the world, that the uniform 
policy and practice of the United States is to avoid all 
interference in disputes which merely relate to the inter- 
nal government of other nations, and eventually to recog- 
nise the authority of the prevailing party without reference 
io our particular interests and views, or to the merits of 
the original controversy. Public opinion here is so firmly 
established and well understood in favor of this pohcy, 
that no serious disagreement has ever risen among our- 
selves in relation to it, although brought under view in a 
variety of forms, and at periods when the minds of the 
people were greatly excited by the agitation of topics 
purely domestic in their character. Nor has any delibe- 
rate inquiry ever been instituted in Congress, or in any 
of our legislative bodies, as to whom belonged the power 
of originally recognising a new state — a power, the exer- 
cise of which is equivalent, under some circumstances, to 
a declaration of war — a power nowhere expressly delega- 
ted, and only granted in the constitution, as it is necessa- 



346 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

rily involved in some of the great powers given to Con- 
gress; in that given to the president and senate to form 
treaties with foreign powers, and to appoint ambassadors 
and other pubhc ministers; and in that conferred upon 
the president to receive ministers from foreign nations. 

In the preamble to the resolution of the house of repre- 
sentatives, it is distinctly intimated that the expediency of 
recognising the independence of Texas should be left to 
the decision of Congress. In this view, on the ground of 
expediency, I am disposed to concur; and do not, there- 
fore, consider it necessary to express any opinion as to the 
strict constitutional right of the executive, either apart 
from, or in conjunction with the senate, over the subject. 
It is to be presumed that on no future occasion will a dis- 
pute arise, as none has heretofore occurred, between the 
executive and the legislature in the exercise of the power 
of recognition. It will always be considered consistent 
with the spirit of the constitution, and most safe, that it 
should be exercised, when probably leading to Avar, with 
a previous understanding with that body by whom war 
can alone be declared, and by whom all the provisions for 
sustaining its perils must be furnished. Its submission to 
Congress, which represents in one of its branches the 
states of the Union, and, in the other, the people of the 
United States, where there may be reasonable ground to 
apprehend so grave a consequence, would certainly afford 
the fullest satisfaction to our own country, and a perfect 
guarantee to all other nations, of the justice and prudence 
of the measures which might be adopted. 

In making these suggestions, it is not my purpose to 
relieve myself from the responsibility of expressing my 
own opinions of the course the interests of our country 
prescribe, and its honor permits us to follow. 

It is scarcely to be imagined that a question of this 
character could be presented, in relation to which it would 
be more difficult for the United States to avoid exciting 
the suspicion and jealousy of other powers, and maintain 
their established character for fair and impartial dealing. 
But on this, as on every other trying occasion, safety is to 
be found in a rigid adherence to principle. 



MESSAGE IN RELATION TO TEXAS. 347 

In the contest between Spain and her revolted colonies 
we stood aloof, and waited not only until the ability of the 
new states to protect themselves was fully established, 
but until the danger of their being- again subjugated had 
entirely passed away. Then, and not until then, were 
they recognised. Such was our course in regard to Mexi- 
co herself. The same policy was observed in all the dis- 
putes growing out of the separation into distinct govern- 
ments of those Spanish American states, who began, or 
carried on the contest with the parent country, united un- 
der one form of government We acknowledged the sepa- 
rate independence of New Grenada, of Venezuela, and of 
Ecuador, only after their independent existence was no 
longer a subject of dispute, or was actually acquiesced in 
by those with whom they had been previously united It 
is true that, with regard to Texas, the civil authority of 
Mexico has been expelled, its invading army defeated, the 
chief of the repubhc himself captured, and all present 
power to conti'ol the newly organized government of Texas 
annihilated within its confines. But, on the other hand, 
there is, in appearance at least, an immense disparity of 
physical force on the side of Texas. The Mexican repub- 
lic, under another executive, is rallying its forces under a 
new leader, and menacing a fresh invasion to recover its 
lost dominion. 

Upon the issue of this threatened invasion, the inde- 
pendence of Texas may be considered as suspended ; and 
were there nothing pecuhar in the relative situation of 
the United States and Texas, our acknowledgment of its 
independence at such a crisis could scarcely be regarded 
as consistent wnth that prudent reserve with which we 
have heretofore held ourselves bound to treat all similar 
questions. But there are circumstances in the relations 
of the two countries, which require us to act on this occa- 
sion, with even more than our wonted caution. Texas 
was once claimed as a part of our property, and there are 
those among our citizens Avho, always reluctant to abandon 
that claim, can not but regard with solicitude the prospect 
of the reunion of the territory to this country. A large 



348 LIFE OF JACKSON". 

portion of its civilized inhabitants are emigrants from the 
United States; speak the same language with ourselves; 
cherish the same principles, political and religious, and 
are bound to many of our citizens by ties of friendship 
and kindred blood; and more than all, it is known that 
the people of that country have instituted the same form 
of government with our own ; and have, since the close 
of your last session, openly resolved, on the acknowledg- 
ment by us of their independence, to seek admission into 
the Union as one of the federal states. This last circum- 
stance is a matter of pecuhar dehcacy, and forces upon us 
considerations of the gravest character. The title of Tex- 
as to the territory she claims is identified with her inde- 
pendence; she asks us to acknowledge that title to the 
territory, with an avowed design to treat immediately of 
its transfer to the United States. It becomes us to be- 
ware of a too early movement, as it might subject us, 
however unjustly, to the imputation of seeking to establish 
the claim of our neighbors to a territory, with a view to 
its subsequent acquisition by ourselves. Prudence, there- 
fore, seems to dictate that we should still stand aloof, 
and maintain our present attitude, if not until Mexico 
itself, or one of the great foreign powers, shall recognise 
the independence of the new government, at least until 
the lapse of time, or the course of events shall have 
proved, beyond cavil or dispute, the ability of the people 
of that country to maintain their separate sovereignty, and 
to uphold the government constituted by them. Neither 
of the contending parties can justly complain of this 
course. , By pursuing it, we are but carrying out the long- 
established policy of our government — a poHcy which has 
secured to us respect and influence abroad, and inspired 
confidence at home. 

Having thus discharged my duty, by presenting with 
simplicity and directness the views which, after much re- 
flection, I have been led to take of this important subject, 
I have only to add the expression of my confidence, that 
if CongTess shall difier with me upon it, their judgment 
will be the result of dispassionate, prudent, and wise deli- 



MESSAGE IN RELATION TO TEXAS. S49 

bcration ; with the assurance that, during the short time I 
shall continue connected with the government. I shall 
nromptlv and cordially unite with you in such measures 
as may be deemed best fitted to increase the prosperity 
and oerpetuate the peace of our favored country. 



350 LIFE OF JACKSON. 



Farewell Address of President Jackson. 

Fkllow-Citizens : Bein.^ about lo retire finally from 
ublic life, I beg leave to offer j'ou my grateful thauks for 
the many proofs of kindness and confidence which I have 
received at your hands. It has been my fortune, in the 
discharge of public duties, civil and military, frequently 
to have found myself in difficult and trying situations, 
where prompt decision and energetic action were neces- 
sary, and where the interests of the country required that 
high responsibilities should be fearlessly encountered ; and 
it is with the deepest emotions of gratitude that [ acknow- 
ledge the continued and unbroken confidence with which 
you have sustained me in every trial. My public life has 
been a long one, and I cannot hope that it has at all times 
been free from errors. But I have the consolation of 
knowing, that if mistakes have been committed, they have 
not seriously injured the country I so anxiously endeavored 
to serve ; and at the moment when 1 surrender my last 
public trust, I leave this great people prosperous and 
happy; in the full enjoyment of liberty and peace; and 
honored and respected by every nation in the world. 

If my humble efforts have, in any degree, contributed 
to preserve to you these blessings, I have been more than 
rewarded by the honors you have heaped upon me; and, 
above all, by the generous confidence with which you 
have supported me in every peril, and with which you 
have continued to animate and cheer my path to the clos- 
ing hour of my political life. The time has now come, 
when advanced age and a broken frame warn me to retire 
from public concerns ; but the recollection of the many 
favors you have bestowed upon me is engraven upon my 
heart, and I have felt that I could not part from your ser- 
vice wjihout making this public acknowledgment of the 
gratitude 1 owe you. And if I use the occasion to offer 



FAREWELL ADDRESS. 251 

f( you the counsels of age and experience, vou will, I 
trust, receive them with the same indulgent kindness 
which you have so often extended to tne ; and will, at 
least, see in them an earnest desire to perpetuate, in this 
favored land, the blessings of liberty and e(^ual laws. 

We have now lived almost fifty years under the Con- 
stitution framed by the sages and patriots of the Revolution. 
The conflicts in which the nations of Europe were engao-^d 
during a great part of this period ; the spirit in which 
they waged war with each other; and our intimate com- 
mercial connections with every part of the civilized world, 
rendered it a time of much difficulty for the government 
of the United States. We have had our seasons of peace 
and of war, with all the evils which precede or follow a 
slate of hostility with powerful nations. We encountered 
these trials, wiih our Constitution yet in its infancy, and 
under the disadvantages which a new and untried govern- 
ment must always feel, when it is called upon to put forth 
its whole strength, without the lights of experience to 
guide it, or the weight of precedents to justify its mea- 
sures. But we have passed triumphantly through all 
these difficulties. Our Constitution is no longer a doubtful 
experiment ; and at the end of nearly half a century, we 
find that it has preserved, unimpaired, the liberties of the 
people, and secured the rights of property, and that our 
country has improved, and is flourishing -beyond any 
former example in the history of nations. 

In our domestic concerns, there is every thing to en- 
courage us; and if you are true to yourselves, nothing 
can impede your march to the highest point of national 
prosperity. The states which had so long been retarded 
in their improvements by the Indian tribes residing; in the 
midst of them, are at length relieved from the evil; and 
this unhappy race — the original dwellers in our land — are 
now placed in a situation where we may well hope that 
they will share in the blessings of civilization, and be 
saved from that degradation and destruction to which they 
were rajjidly hastening, while they remained in the states; 
and while the safety and comfort of our own citizens have 
been greatly promoted by their removal, the philanthropist 



352 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

will reioice that the remnant of this ill-fated race has been 
at lenofth placed beyond the reach of injury or oppression, 
and that the ])aternal care of the general government will 
hereafter watch over them and protect them. 

If we turn to our relations with foreign powers, we find 
our condition equally gratifying. Actuated by the sincere 
desire to do justice to every nation, and to preserve the 
blessings of peace, our intercourse with them has been 
conducted on the part of this government in the spirit of 
frankness, and I take pleasure in saying that it has gene- 
rally been met in a corresponding temper. Difficulties 
of old standing have been surmounted by friendly dis- 
cussion, and the mutual desire to be just; and the claims 
of our citizens, which had been long withheld, have at 
length been acknowledged and adjusted, and satisfactory 
arrangements made for their final payment; and with a 
limited, and I trust a temporary exception, our relations 
with every foreign power are now of the most friendly 
character — our commerce continually expanding, and our 
flag respected in every quarter of the world. 

These cheering and grateful prospects, and these mul- 
tiplied favors, we owe, under Providence, to the adoption 
of the Federal Constitution. It is no longer a question 
whether this great country can remain happily united, 
and flourish under our present form of government. Ex- 
perience, the unerring test of all human undertakings, 
has shown the wisdom and foresight of those who formed 
it; and has proved, that in the union of these states there 
is a sure foundation for the brightest hopes of freedom, and 
for the happiness of the people. At every hazard, and 
by every sacrifice, this Union must be preserved. 

The necessity of watching with jealous anxiety, for the 
preservation of the Union, was earnestly pressed upon his 
fellow-citizens by the Father of his country, in his fare- 
well address. He has there told us, that " while ex- 
perience shall not have demonstrated its impracticability, 
there will always be reason to distrust the patriotism of 
those who, in any quarter, may endeavor to weaken its 
bonds ;" and he has cautioned us, in the strongest terms, 
against the formation of parties on geographical discrimi- 



FAREWELL ADDRESS. 253 

nations, as one of the means which migrht disturb our 
Union, and to which designing men would be likely to 
rei-ort. 

The lessons contained in this invaluable legacy of Wash- 
ington to his countrymen, should be cherished in the heart 
of every citizen to the latest generation ; and, perhaps, at 
no period of time could they be more usefully remembered 
than at the present moment. For when we look upon 
the scenes that are passing around us, and dwell upon the 
pagfs of his parting address, his paternal counsels would 
seem to be not merely the offspring of wisdom and fore- 
sight, but the voice of prophecy foretelling events and 
warning us of the evil to come. Forty years have passed 
since this imperishable document was given to his coun- 
trymen. The Federal Constitution was then regarded by 
him as an experiment, and he so speaks of it in his 
address ; but an experiment upon the success of which the 
best hopes of his country depended, and we all know that 
he was prepared to lay down his life, if necessary, to 
secure to it a full and fair trial. The trial has been made. 
It has succeeded beyond the proudest hopes of those who 
framed it. Every quarter of this widely extended nation 
has felt its blessings, and shared in the general prosperity 
produced by its adoption. But amid this general prosper- 
ity and splendid success, the dangers of which he w^arned 
us are becoming ever}^ day more evident, and the signs of 
evil are sufficiently apparent to awaken the deepest 
anxiety in the bosom of the patriot. We hold systematic 
efforts publicly made to sow the seeds of discord between 
different parts of the United States, and to place party 
divisions directly upon geographical distinctions ; to excite 
the South against the North, and the North against the 
South, and to force into the controversy the most deli- 
cate and exciting topics upon which it is impossible that 
a large portion of the Union can ever speak without 
strong emotions. Appeals, too, are constantly made to 
sectional interests, in order to influence the election of 
the Chief Magistrate, as if it were desired that he should 
favor a particular quarter of the country, instead of fulfil- 
iing the duties of his station with impartial justice to all ; 



354 LIFE or JACKSON. 

and the possible dissolntioii of the Union has at length 
become an ordinary and familiar subject of discussioi^ 
Has the warning "voice of Washington been forgotten? 
or Jhave designs already been formed to sever the Union? 
Let it not be supposed that I impute to all of those who 
liave taken an active part in these unwise and unprofitable 
discussions, a want of patriotism or of public virtue. The 
honorable feeling of state pride, and local attachments, 
find a place in the bosoms of the most enlightened and 
pure. But while such men are conscious of their own 
integrity and honesty of purpose, they ought never to forget 
that the citizens of other states are their political brethren; 
and that, however mistaken they may be in their views, 
the great body of them are equally honest and upright 
with themselves. Mutual suspicions and reproaches may 
in time create mutual hostility, and artful and designing 
men will always be found, who are ready to foment these 
fatal divisions, and to Inflame the natural jealousies of 
difTerent sections of the country. The history of the 
world is full of such examples, and especially the history 
of republics. 

What have you to gain by division and dissension ? 
Delude not yourselves with the belief that a breach once 
made, may be afterwards repaired. If the Union is once 
severed, the hne of separation will grow wider and wider, 
and the controversies which are now debated and settled 
in the halls of legislation, will then be trii^d in fields of 
battle, and be determined by the sword. Neither should 
you deceive yourselves with the hope, that the first line 
of separation would be the permanent one, and that no- 
thing but harmony and concord would be found in the new 
associations, formed upon the dissolution of this Union. 
Local interests would still be found there, and unchastened 
ambition. And if the recollection of common dangers, in 
which the people of these United States stood side by 
side against the common foe ; the memory of victories 
won by their united valor ; the prosperity and happiness 
they have enjoyed under the present Constitution ; the 
proud name they bear as citiz ns of this great republic, 
if all these recollections and proofs of common interest ure 



FAREWELL ADDRESS. 855 

not strono- onoug-h to bind us tog-ether as one people, what 
tie will hold united the new divisions of empire, when 
these bonds have been broken and this Union dissevered? 
The first line of separation would not last for a sino-le 
generation ; new fragments would be torn off; new lead- 
ers would spring up ; and this great and glorious republic 
would soon be broken into a multitude of pett^ states; 
without commerce, without credit ; jealous of one another ; 
armed for mutual aggression; loaded with taxes to pay- 
armies and leaders; seeking aid against each other from 
foreign p.owers ; insulted and trampled upon by the na- 
tions of Europe, until, harassed with conflicts, and hum- 
bled and debased in spirit, they would be ready to submit 
to the absolute dominion of any military adventurer, and 
to surrender their liberty for the sake of repose. It is 
impossible to look on the consequences that would inevita- 
bly follow the destruction of this government, and not feel 
indignant when we hear cold calculations about the value 
of the Union, and have so constantly before us u line of 
conduct so well calculated to weaken its ties. 

There is too much at stake to allow pride or passion to 
influence your decision. Never for a moment believe that 
the great body of the citizens of any stale or states can 
deliberately intend to do wrong. They may, under the 
influence of temporary excitement or misguided opinions, 
commit mistakes; they may be misled for a time by the 
suggestions of self-interest; but in a community so en- 
lightened and patriotic as the people of the United States, 
argument will soon make them sensible of their errors; 
and when convinced, they will be ready to re|:air thetn. 
If they have no higher or better motives to govern them, 
the)' will at least perceive that their own interest requires 
them to be just to others, as they hope to receive justice 
at their hands. 

But in order to maintain the Union unimpaired, it is 
absolutely necessary that the laws passed by the consti- 
tuted authorities, should be faithfully executed in every 
part of the country, and that every good citizen should, at 
all times, stand rt-ady to put down, with the combined 
force of the nation, every attempt at unlawful resistance, 

It) 



856 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

under whatever pretext it may be made, or whatevei 
shape it may assume. Unconstitutional or oppressive 
laws may no doubt be passed by Congress, either from 
erroneous views, or the want of due consideration ; if 
they are within reach of judicial authority, the remedy is 
eas)'' and peaceful ; and if, from the character of the law, 
it is an abuse of power not within the control of the ju- 
diciary, then free discussion and calm appeals to reason 
and to the justice of the people, will not fail to redress the 
wrong. But until the law shall be declared void by the 
courts, or repealed by. Congress, no individual or combi- 
nation of individuals, can be justified in forcibly resisting 
its execution. It is impossible that any government can 
continue to exist upon any other principles. It would 
cease to be a government, and be unworthy of the name, 
if it had not the power to enforce the execution of its own 
laws within its own sphere of action. 

It is true that cases may be imagined, disclosing such 
a settled purpose of usurpation and oppression, on the 
part of the government, as would justify an appeal to 
arms. These, however, are extreme cases, which we 
have no reason to apprehend in a government where the 
power is in the hands of a patriotic people ; and no citi- 
zen who loves his country would, in any case whatever, 
resort to forcible resistance, unless he clearly saw that the 
time had come when a freeman should prefer death to 
submission ; for if such a struggle is once begun, and the 
citizens of one section of the country arrayed in arms 
against those of another, in doubtful conflict, let the battle 
result as it may, there will be an end of the Union, and 
with it an end of the hopes of freedom. The victory of 
tho injured would not secure to them the blessings of 
liberty ; it would avenge their wrongs, but they would 
themselves share in the common ruin. 

But the Constitution cannot be maintained, nor the 
Union preserved in opposition to pubhc feeling, by the 
mere exertion of the coercive powers confided to the gene- 
ral government. The foundations must be laid in the 
affections of the people; in th« security it gives to life, 
liberty, character, and property, in every quarter of the 
country ; and in the fraternal attachments which the citi- 



FAREWELL ADDRESS. 357 

zens of the several states bear to one another, as members 
of one political family, naturally contributing- to promote 
the happiness of each other. Hence, the citizens of every 
state should studiously avoid every thing calculated to 
wound the sensibility or offend the just pride of the people 
of other states ; and they should frown upon any proceed- 
ings within their own borders likely to disturb the tran- 
quillity of their political brethren in other portions of the 
Union. In a country so extensive as the United States, 
and with pursuits so varied, the internal regulations of the 
several states must frequently differ from one another in 
important particulars ; and this difference is unavoidably 
increased by the varying principles upon which the Ameri- 
can colonies were originally planted ; principles which 
had taken deep root in their social relations before the 
Revolution, and therefore, of necessity, influencing their 
pohcy since they became free and independent states. 
But each state has the unquestionable right to regulate 
its own internal concerns according to its own pleasure ; 
and while it does not interfere with the rights of the 
people of other states, or the rights of the Union, every 
state must be the sole judge of the measures proper to 
secure the safety of its citizens and promote their happi- 
ness ; and all efforts on the part of the people of other 
states to cast odium upon their institutions, and all mea- 
sures calculated to disturb their rights of property, or to 
put in jeopardy their peace and internal tranquillity, are 
in direct opposition to the spirit in which the Union was 
formed, and must endanger its safety. Motives of phi- 
lanthropy may be assigned for this unwarrantable inter- 
ference ; and weak men may persuade themselves for a 
moment that they are laboring in the cause of humanity, 
and asserting the rights of the human race ; but every 
one, upon sober reflection, will see that nothing but mis- 
chief can come from these improper assaults upon the 
feelings and rights of others. Rest assured, that the men 
found busy in this work of discord are not worthy of your 
confidence, and deserve your strongest reprobation. 

In the legislation of Congress, also, and in every mea- 
sure of the general government, justice to every portion 



358 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

of the United States should be faithfully observed. No 
free government can stand without virtue in the people, 
and a lofty spirit of patriotism ; and if ihe sordid feelings 
of mnre selfishness shall usurp the place which ought to 
be filled by public spirit, the leg^islation of Congress will 
soon be converted into a scramble for personal and sec 
tional advantages. Under our free institutions, the citizens 
of every quarter of our country are capable of attaining a 
high degree of prosperity and happiness, without seeking 
to profit therast Ives at the expense of others ; and every 
such attempt must, in the end, fail to succeed ; for the 
people in every part of the United States are too enlight- 
ened not to understand their own rights and interests, and 
to detect and defeat every effort to gain undue advantages 
over them; and when such designs are discovered, it 
naturally provokes resentments which cannot always be 
allayed. Justice, full and ample justice, to every portion 
of the United Stales, should be the ruling principle of 
every freeman, and should guide the deliberations of every 
public body, whether it be state or national. 

It is well known that there have always been those 
among us who wish to enlarge the powers of the general 
government; and experience would seem to indicate that 
there is a tendency on the part of this government to over- 
step the boundaries marked out for it by the Constitution. 
Its legitimate authority is abundantly sufficient for all the 
purposes for which it was created : and its powers being 
expressly enumerated, there can be no justification for 
claiming any thing beyond them. Every attempt to 
exercise power bej'ond these limits should be promptly 
and firmly opposed. For one evil example will lead to 
other measures still more mischievous ; and if the prin- 
ciple of constructive powers, or supposed advantages, or 
temporary circumstances, shall ever be permitted to justify 
the assumption of a power not given by the Constitution, 
the general government will before long absorb all the 
powers of legislation, and you will have, in eff ct, but one 
consolidated government. From the extent of our coun- 
try, its diversified interests, different pursuits, and dif- 
ferent habits, it is too obvious for argument that a single 



FAREWELL ADDRESS. 359 

consolidated government would be wholly inadequate to 
watch over and protect its interests; and every friend of 
our free institutions should be always prepared to main- 
tain unim})aired and in full vigor the rights and sove- 
reignty of the states, and to confine the action of the 
general government strictly to the sphere of its appro- 
priate duties. 

There is, perhaps, no one of the powers conferred on 
he federal government so liable to abuse as the taxing 
power. The most productiv^e and convenient sources of 
revenue were necessarily given to it, that it might be 
able to perform the important duties imposed upon it; 
and the taxes which it lays upon commerce being con- 
cealed from the real payer in the price of the article, they 
do not so readily attract the attention of the people as 
smaller sums demanded from them directly by the tax- 
gatherer. But the tax imposed on goods, enhances by so 
much the price of the commodity to the consumer; and 
as many of these duties are imposed on articles of neces- 
sity which fire daily used by the great body of the people, 
the money raised by these imposts is drawn from their 
pockets. Congress has no right under the Constitution 
to take money from the people, unless it is required to 
execute some one of the specific powers intrusted to the 
government ; and if they raise more than is necessary for 
such purposes, it is an abuse of the power of taxation, and 
unjust and oppressive- It may indeed happen that the 
revenue will sometimes exceed the amount anticipated 
when the taxes were laid. When, however, this is as- 
certained, it is easy to reduce them ; and, in such a case, 
it is unquestionably the duty of the government to reduce 
them, for no circumstances can justify it in assuming a 
power not given to it by the Constitution, nor in taking 
away the money of the people when it is not needed for 
the legitimate wants of the government. 

Plain as these principl*^s appear to be, you will yet find 
that there is a constant eflbit to induce the general govern- 
ment to go beyond the limits of its taxing power, and to 
impose unnecessary burdens upon the people. Many 
powerful interests are continually at work to procure heavy 



360 LITE OF JACKSON. 

duties on commerce, and to swell the revenue bej'ond the 
real necessities of the public service ; and the country 
has already felt the injurious effects of their combined 
influence. They succeeded in obtaining a tariff of duties 
bearing most oppressively on the agricultural and laboring 
classes of society, and producing a revenue that could not 
be usefully employed within the rane^e of the powers 
conferred upon Congress ; and in order to fasten upon the 
people this unjust and unequal system of taxation, extra- 
vagant schemes of internal improvement Avere got up, in 
various quarters, to squander the money and to purchase 
support. Thus, one unconstitutional measure was in- 
tended to be upheld by another, and the abuse of the 
power of taxation was to be maintained by usurping the 
power of expending the money in internal improvements. 
You cannot have forgotten the severe and doubtful struggle 
through which we passed, when the executive department 
of the government, by its veto, endeavored to arrest the 
prodigal scheme of injustice, and to bring back the legis- 
lation of Congress to the boundaries prescribed by the 
Constitution. The good sense and practical judgment of 
the people, when the subject was brought before them, 
sustained the course of the Executive, and this plan of 
unconstitutional expenditure for the purposes of corrupt 
influence is, I trust, finally overthrown. 

The result of this decision has been felt in the rapid 
extinguishment of the pubhc debt, and the large accumu- 
lation of a surplus in the treasury, notwithstanding the 
t'lriff was reduced, and is now far below the amount ori- 
ginally contemplated by its advocates. But, rely upon it, 
the design to collect an extravagant revenue, and to burden 
you with taxes beyond the economical wants of the govern- 
ment, is not yet abandoned. The various interests which 
have combined together to impose a heavy tariff, and to 
produce an overflowing treasury, are too strong, and have 
too much at stake, to surrender the contest. The corpo- 
rations and weahhy individuals who are engaged in large 
manufacturing establihsments, desire a high tariff to in- 
crease their gains. Designing politicians will support it to 
conciliate their favor, and to obtain the means of profuse 



FAREWELL ADDRESS. 861 

expenditure, for the purpose of purchasing influence in 
other quarters; and since the people have decided that 
the federal government cannot be permitted to employ its 
income in internal improvements, efforts will be made to 
seduce and mislead the citizens of the several states, by- 
holding out to them the deceitful prospect of benefits 
to be derived from a surplus revenue collected by the 
general government, and annually divided among the 
Mates. And if, encouraged by these fallacious hopes, the 
states should disregard the principles of economy which 
ought to characterize every republican government, and 
should indulge in lavish expenditures exceeding their 
resources, they will, before long, find themselves oppressed 
with debts which they are unable to pay, and the tempta- 
tion will become irresistible to support a high tariff, in 
order to obtain a surplus distribution. Do not allow your- 
selves, my fellow-citizens, to be misled on this subject. 
The federal government cannot collect a surplus for such 
purposes, without violating the principles of the Constitu- 
tion, and assuming powers which have not been granted. 
It is, moreover, a system of injustice, and, if persisted in, 
will inevitably lead to corruption, and must end in ruin. 
The surplus revenue will be drawn from the pockets of 
the people — from the farmer, the mechanic, and the laboring 
classes of society ; but who will receive it when distributed 
among the states, where it is to be disposed of by leading 
state politicians who have friends to favor, and political par- 
tisans to gratify ? It will certainly not be returned to those 
who paid it, and who have most need of it, and are ho- 
nestly entitled to it. There is but one safe rule, and that 
is, to confine the general government rigidly within the 
sphere of its appropriate duties. It has no power to raise 
a revenue, or impose taxes, except for the purposes enu- 
merated in the Constitution ; and if its income is found to 
2xceed these wants, it should be forthwith reduced, and 
the burdens of the people so far lightened. 

In reviewing the conflicts which have taken place be 
tween different interests in the United States, and the 
policy pursued since the adoption of our present form of 
government, we find nothing that has produced such deep- 



362 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

seated evil as the course of legislation in relation to the 
currency. The Constitution of the United States unques- 
tionably intended to secure the people a circulating- me- 
dium of gold and silver. But the establishment of a 
national bank by Congress, with the privilege of issuing 
paper money receivable in payment of the public dues, 
and the unfortunate course of legislation in the several 
states, upon the same subject, drove from general circula- 
tion ihe constitutional currency, and substituted one of 
paper in its place. 

It was not easy for men engaged in the ordinary pur- 
suits of business, whose attention had not been jiarticularly 
drawn to the subject, to foresee all the consequences of 
a currency exclusively of paper; and we ought not, on 
that account, to be surprised at the facility with which 
laws were obtained to carry into effect the paper system. 
Honest, and even enlightened men, are sometimes misled 
by the specious atid plausible statemt^nts of the designing. 
But experience has now proved the mischiefs and dangers 
of a paper currenc}^ and it rests with you to determine 
whether the proper remedy shall be applied. 

The paper system being founded on public confidence, 
and having of itself no intrinsic value, it is liable to great 
and sudden fluctuations, thereby rendering property inse- 
cure, and the wages of labor unsteady and uncertain. The 
corporations which create the paper money cannot be 
relied upon to keep the circulating medium uniform in 
amount. In times of prosperity, when confidence is high, 
they are tempted by the prospect of gain, or b}' the in- 
fluence of those who hope to profit b}^ it, to extend their 
issues of paper beyond the bounds of discretion and the 
reasonable demands of business. And when these issues 
have been pushed on, from day to day, until public con- 
fidence is at length shaken, then a reaction takes place, 
and they immediately withdraw the credits they have 
given; suddenly curtail their issues, and produce an un- 
ex})ected and ruinous contraction of the circulating medium, 
which is felt by the whole community, 'i'he banks by 
this means save themselves, and the mischievous conse- 
quences of their imprudLUce or cupidity are visited upon 



FAREWELL ADDRESS. 363 

iTie public. Nor does the evil stop here. These ebbs and 
flows of the currency, and these indiscreet extensions of 
credit, naturally engender a spirit of speculation injurious 
to the habits and character of the people. We have 
already seen its effects in the wild spirit of speculation in 
the public lands, and various kinds of slocks, which, with- 
in the last year or two, seized upon such a multitude of 
our citizens, and threatened to pervade all classes of society, 
and to withdraw their attention from the sober pursuits of 
honest industry. It is not by encouraging this spirit that 
we shall best preserve public virtue, and promote the 
true interests of our country. But if your currency con- 
tinues as exclusively paper as it now is, it will foster this 
eager desire to amass wealth without labor; it will multi- 
ply the number of dependents on bank accommodations 
and bank favors ; the temptation to obtain money at any 
sacrifice, will become stronger and stronger, and inevita- 
bly lead to corruption, which will find its way into your 
public councils, and destroy, at no distant day, the purity 
of your government. Some of the evils which arise from 
this system of paper, press with peculiar hardship upon 
the class of society least able to bear it. A portion of this 
currency frequently becomes depreciated or worthless, and 
all of it is easily counterfeited, in such a manner as to 
require peculiar skill and much experience to distinguish 
the counterfeit from the genuine notes. 

These frauds are most generally perpetrated in the 
smaller notes, which are used in the daily transactions of 
ordinary business ; and the losses occasioned by them are 
commonly thrown upon the laboring classes of society, 
whose situation and pursuits put it out of their power to 
guard themselves from these impositions, and whose daily 
wages are necessary for their subsistence. It is the duty 
of every government, so to regulate its currency as to 
protect this numerous class, as far as practicable, from the 
impositions of avarice and fraud. It is more especially 
the duty of the United States, where the government is 
emphatically the government of the people, and where 
this respectable portion of our citizens are so proudly 
distinguished from the laboring classes of all other nations, 

16* 



364 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

by their independent spirit, their love of liberty, ♦.heir 
intelligence, and their high tone of moral character. Their 
industry in peace is the source of our wealth ; their bravery 
in war has covered us with glory ; and the government 
of the United States will but ill discharge its duties, if it 
leaves them a prey to such dishonest impositions. Yet it 
is evident that their interests cannot be effectually pro- 
tected, unless silver and gold are restored to circulation. 

These views, alone, of the paper currency, are suffi- 
cient to call for immediate reform ; but there is another 
consideration which should still more strongly press it 
upon your attention. 

Recent events have proved that the paper money system 
of this country may be used as an engine to undermine 
your free institutions ; and that those who desire to en- 
gross all power in the hands of a few, and to govern by 
corruption or force, are aware of its power, and prepared 
to employ it. Your banks now furnish your only circu- 
lating medium, and money is plenty or scarce, accordmg 
to the quantity of notes issued by them. While they 
have capitals not greatly disproportionate to each other, 
they are competitors in business, and no one of them can 
exercise dominion over the rest; and although, in the 
present state of the currency, these banks may and do 
operate injuriously upon the habits of business, the pe- 
cuniary concerns, and the moral tone of societ}^ ; j^et, from 
their number and dispersed situation, they cannot com- 
bine for the purposes of political influence ; and whatever 
may be the dispositions of some of them, their power of 
mischief must necessarily be confined to a narrow space, 
and felt only in their immediate neighborhoods. 

But when the charter for the Bank of the United States 
was obtained from Congress, it perfected the schemes of 
the paper system, and gave to its advocates the position " 
they have struggled to obtain from the commencement of 
the federal government down to the present hour. The 
immense capital and peculiar privileges bestowed upon it, 
enabled it to exercise despotic sway over the other banks 
in every part of the country. From its superior strength, 
it could seriously injure, if not destroy, the business of 



FAREWELL ADDRESS. 365 

any one of them which might incur its resentment ; and 
it openly claimed for itself the power of regulating the 
currency throughout the United States. In other words, 
it asserted (and undoubtedly possessed) the power to make 
money plenty or scarce, at its pleasure, at any time, and 
in any quarter of the Union, by controlling the issues of 
other banks, and permitting an expansion, or compelling 
a general contraction, of the circulating medium, according 
\o its own will. The other banking institutions were sensible 
if its strength, and they soon generally became its obedient 
instruments, ready at all times to execute its mandates ; 
and with the banks necessarily went also that numerous 
class of persons in our commercial cities who depend alto- 
gether on bank credits for their solvency and means of 
business, and who are therefore obliged, for their own 
safety, to propitiate the favor of the money power by dis- 
tinguished zeal and devotion in its service. The result 
of the ill-advised legislation which established this great 
monopoljs was to concentrate the whole moneyed power 
of the Union, with its boundless means of corruption, and 
its numerous dependents, under the direction and com- 
mand of one acknowledged head ; thus organizing this 
particular interest as one body, and securing to it unity 
and concert of action throughout the United States, and 
enabling it to bring forward, upon any occasion, its entire 
and undivided strength to support or defeat any measure 
of the government. In the hands of this formidable power, 
thus perfectly organized, was also placed unlimited do- 
minion over the amount of the circulating medium, giving 
it the power to regulate the value of property and the 
fruits of labor in every quarter of the Union ; and to be- 
stow prosperity, or bring ruin upon any city or section 
of the country, as might best comport with its own interest; 
r policy. 

We are not left to conjecture how the moneyed power, 
thus organized, and with such a weapon in its hands, 
would be likely to use it. The distress and alarm which 
pervaded and agitated the whole country, when the Bank 
of the United States waged war upon the people in order 
to compel them to submit to its demands, cannot yet be 



366 LIFE OP JACKSON. 

forjjotten. The ruthless and unsparing temper with wli ch 
whole cities and communities were oppressed, individuals 
impoverished and ruined, and a scene of cheerful pros- 
perity suddenly chano-ed into one of gloom and despond- 
ency, ought to be indelibly impressed on the memory of 
the people of the United States. If such was its power in 
a time of peace, what would it not have been in a s ason 
of war, with an enemy at your doors ? No nation but the 
frei-men of the United States could have come out vic- 
torious from such a contest ; yet, if you had not conquered, 
the government would have passed from the hands of ihe 
many to the hands of the i^ew ; and this organized money 
power, from its secret conclave, would have dictated the 
choice of your highest officers, and compelled you to make 
peace or war, as bi.st suited their own wishes. 'J'he forms 
of your government might for a time have remained, but 
its living spirit would have departed from it. 

The distress and sufferings inflicted on the people by 
the bank are some of the fruits of that system of policy 
which is continually striving to enlarge the authority of 
the federal government beyond the limits fixed by the 
Constitution. The powers enumerated in that instru- 
ment do not confer on Congress the right to establish such 
a corporation as the Bank of the United States : and the 
evil consequences which followed may warn us of the 
danger of deplaning from the true rule of construction, 
and of permitting temporary circumstances, or the hope 
of better promoting the public welfare, to influence in any 
degree our decisions upon the extent of the authority of 
the general government. Let us abide by the Constitu- 
tion as it is written, or amend it in the constitutional mode, 
if it is found to be defective. 

The severe lessons of experience will, I doubt not, be 
sufficient to prevent Congress from again chartering such 
a monopoly, even if the Constitution did not present an 
insuperable objection to it. But you must remember, my 
fellow-citizens, that eternal vigilance by the people is the 
price of liberty ; and that you must pay the price if you 
wish to secure the blessing. It behooves you, therefore, 
to be watchful in your states, as well as in the federal 



FAREWELL ADDRESS. 367 

government. The power which the moneyed interest 
can exercise, when concentrated under a sinsrle head and 
with our present sy> ^i of currency, was sufficiently de- 
monstrated in the strugj, •' made by the Bank of the United 
States. Defeated in the general government, the same 
class of intriguers and politicians will now resort to the 
stiites, and endeavor to obtain there the same organiza- 
tion, which they failed to perpetuate in the Union ; and 
with specious and deceitful plans of public advantages, 
and Slate interests, and state pride, they will endeavor to 
establish, in the different states, one moneyed institution 
wiih overgrown capital, and exclusive privileges, suffi- 
cient to enable it to control the operations of the other 
banks. Such an institution will be pregnant with the 
same evils produced by the Bank of the United States, 
although its sphere of action is more confined; and in the 
state in which it is chartered, the money power w\\\ be 
able to embody its whole strength, and to move together 
with undivided force, to accomplish any object it may 
wish to attain. You have already had abundant evidence 
of its power to inflict injury upon the agricultural, me- 
chanical, and laboring classes of society ; and over those 
whose engagements in trade or speculation render them 
dependent on bank facilities, the dominion of the state 
monopoly will be absolute, and their obedience unlimited. 
With such a bank, and a paper currency, the money 
power would in a few years govern the state and control 
its measures; and if a sufficient number of states can be 
induced to create such establishments, the time will soon 
come when it will again take the field against the United 
States, and succeed in perfecting and perpetuating its 
organization by a charter from Congress. 

It is one of the serious evils of our present system of 
banking, that it enables one class of society — and that by 
no means a numerous one — by its control over the cur- 
rency, to act injuriously upon the interests of all the others, 
and to exercise more than its just proportion of influence 
in political affairs. The agricultural, the mechanical, and 
the laboring classes, have little or no share in the direction 
of the great moneyed corporations ; and from their habits 



568 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

and the nature of their pursuits, they are incapable of 
forming extensive combinations to act together with united 
force. Such concert of action may ''ometimes be produced 
in a single city, or in a small dis*" »^i of country, by means 
of personal communications with each other ; but they have 
no regular or active correspondence with those who are 
engaged in similar pursuits in distant places ; they have 
but little patronage to give to the press, and exercise but 
a small share of influence over it ; they have no crowd of 
dependents about them, who hope to grow rich without 
labor, by their countenance and favor, and who are, there- 
fore, always ready to execute their wishes. The planter, the 
farmer, the mechanic, and the laborer, all know that their 
success depends upon their own industry and economy, 
and that they must not expect to become suddenly rich 
by the fruits of their toil. Yet these classes of society 
form the great body of the people of the United States ; 
they are the bone and sinew of the country ; men who 
love liberty, and desire nothing but equal rights and equal 
laws, and who, moreover, hold the great mass of our 
national wealth, although it is distributed in moderate 
amounts among the millions of freemen who possess it. 
But with overwhelming numbers and wealth on their side, 
they are in constant danger of losing their fair influence 
in the government, and with difficulty maintain their just 
rights against the incessant efforts daily made to encroach 
upon them. 

The mischief springs from the power which the moneyed 
interest derives from a paper currency, which they are 
able to control, from the multitude of corporations with 
exclusive privileges, which they have succeeded in ob- 
taining in the different states, and which are employed 
altogether for their benefit; and unless you become more 
watchful in your states, and check this spirit of mono- 
poly and thirst for exclusive privileges, you will, in the 
end, find that the most important powers of government 
have been given or bartered away, and the control over 
your dearest interests have passed into the hands of these 
corporations. 



FAREWELL ADDRESS. 339 

The paper-money system, and its natural associates, 
monopoly and exclusive privileges, have already struck 
their roots deep in the soil; and it will require all your 
efforts to check its farther g-rowth, and to eradicate the 
evil. The men Avho profit by the abuses, and desire to 
perpetuate them, will continue to besiege the halls of legis- 
lation in the general government, as well as in the states, 
and will seek, by every artifice, to mislead and deceive 
the public servants. It is to yourselves that you must 
look for safety and the means of guarding and perpetuat- 
ing your free institutions. In your hands is rightfully 
placed the sovereignty of the country, and to j^ou every 
one placed in authority is ultimately responsible. It is 
always in your power to see that the wishes of the people 
are carried into faithful execution, and their will, when 
once made known, must sooner or later be obeyed. And 
while the people remain, as I trust they ever will, uncor- 
rupted and incorruptible, and continue watchful and jealous 
of their rights, the government is safe, and the cause of 
freedom will continue to triumph over all its enemies. But 
it will require steady and persevering exertions on your 
part to rid yourselves of the iniquities and mischiefs of the 
paper system, and to check the spirit of monopoly and 
other abuses, which have sprung up with it, and of which 
it is the main support. So many interests are united to 
resist all reform on this subject, that you must not hope 
the conflict will be a short one, nor success easy. My 
humble efforts have not been spared, during my adminis- 
tration of the government, to restore the constitutional 
currency of gold and silver ; and something, I trust, has 
been done towards the accomplishment of this most desir- 
able object. But enough yet remains to require all your 
nergy and perseverance. The power, however, is in 
our hands, and the remedy must and will be applied if 
you determine upon it. 

While I am thus endeavoring to press upon your at- 
tention the principles which I deem of vital importance to 
the domestic concerns of the country, I ought not to pass 
over without notice the important considerations which 



370 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

Should gfovern j^onr policy towards foreigri powers. It is 
UMqueslionnbly our true interest to cultivate the most 
friendly understandino- with every nation, and to avoid, 
by every honorable means, the calamities of war ; and we 
shall best aitain this object by frankness and sincerit}^ in 
our foreign intercourse, by the prompt and faithful execu- 
tion of treaties, and by justice and impartiality in our 
conduct to all. But no nation, however desirous of j)eace, 
can hope to escape coUisions with other powers; and the 
soundest dictates of policy require that we should place 
ourselves in a condition to assert our ris^hts, if a resort to 
force should ever become necessary. Our local situation, 
our long line of sea-coast, indented by numerous bays, 
with deep rivers opening into the interior, as well as our 
extended and still increasing commerce, point to the navy 
as our natural means of defence. It will, in the end, be 
found to be the cheapest and most effectual ; and now is 
the time, in the season of peace, and with an overflowino" 
revenue, that we can year after year add to its strength, 
without increasing the burdens of the people. It is your 
true policy. For your navy will not only protect 3'our 
rich and flourishing commerce in distant seas, but enable 
you to reach and annoy the enemy, and will give to defence 
its greatest efficiency by meeting danger at a distance 
from home. It is impossible by any line of fortifications 
to guard every point from attack against a hostile force 
advancing from the ocean and selecting its object ; but 
they are indispensable to protect cities from bombard- 
ment ; dock-yards and navy arsenals from destruction; to 
give shelter to merchant vessels in time of war, and to 
single ships or weaker squadrons when pressed by supe- 
rior force. Fortifications of this description cannot be too 
soon completed and armed, and placed in a condition of 
the most perfect preparation. The abundant means we 
now possess cannot be applied in any manner more useful 
to the country : and when this is done, and our naval 
force sufficiently strengthened, and our militia armed, 
we need not fear that any nation will wantonly insult us, 
or needlessly provoke hostilities. We shall more certain- 



FAREWELL ADDRESS. 37l 

ly preserve peace, when it is well understood that we are 
prepan^d for war. 

In presenting to you, nnj'' fellow-citizens, these partino- 
counsels, I have brought before you the leading prin- 
ciples upon which I endeavored to administer the govern- 
ment in the high office with which you twice honored 
me. Knowing that the path of freedom is continually 
beset by enemies, who often assume the disiruise of 
friends, I have devoted the last hours of my public life 
to warn you of the dangers. The progress of the United 
States, under our free and happy institutions, has sur- 
})assed the most sanguine hopes of the founders of the 
Republic. Our growth has been rapid beyond all former 
example, in numbers, in wealth, in knowledge, and all 
the useful arts which contribute to the comforts and con- 
venience of man ; and from the earliest ages of history to 
the present day, there never have been thirteen millions 
of peo{)le associated together in one political bodv, who 
enjoyed so much freedom and happiness as the peoj)le of 
these United States. You have no longer any cause to 
fear dancjer from abroad ; your strength and power are 
well known throughout the civilized world, as well as the 
high and gallant bearing of your sons. It is from within, 
among yourselves, from cupidity, from corruption, from 
disappointed ambition, ai d inordinate thirst for power, 
that factions will bj form ^d and liberty endangered. It 
is against such designs, whatever disguise the actors may 
assume, that you have especially to guard yourselves. 
You have the highest of human trusts committed to your 
care. Providence has showered on this favored land 
blessings without number, and has chosen you as the 
guardians of freedom, to preserve it for the benefit of the 
human race. May He, who holds in his hands the des- 
tinies of nations, make you worthy of the favors he has 
bestowed, and enable you, with pure hearts, and pure 
hands, and sleepless vigilance, to guard and defend to 
the end of time the great charge he has committed to 
your keeping. 

My own race is nearly run; advanced age and failing 



^'^ LIFE OF JACKSON. 



health warn me that before long I must pass beyond the 
reach of human events, and cease to feel the vicissitudes 
of human affairs. I thank God that my life has been 
spent in a land of liberty, and that he has given me a 
heart to love my country with the affection of a son. And 
filled with gratitude for your constant and unwavering 
kindness, I bid you a last and affectionate farewell. 



LETTER TO COMMODORE ELLIOTT. 373 



General Jackson* s Letter to Commodore Elliott, declining a Sarco- 
phagus. 

Hermitage, March 27, 1845. 

Dear Sir : Your letter of the 18th instant, together 
with a copy of the proceedings of the National Institute, 
furnished me by their corresponding secretary, on the 
presentation, by you, of the Sarcophagus for their accept- 
ance, on condition it shall be preserved, and in honor of 
my memory, have been received, and are now before me. 

Although laboring under great debility and affliction, 
from a severe attack from which I may not recover, I raise 
my pen and endeavor to reply. The steadiness of my 
nerves may perhaps lead you to conckide my prostration 
of strength is not so great as here expressed. Strange as 
it may appear, my nerves are as steady as they were forty 
years gone by ; w^hilst, from debihly and affliction, I am 
gasping for breath. 

I have read the whole proceedings of the presentation, 
by you, of the Sarcophagus, and the resolutions passed by 
the Board of Directors, so honorable to my fame, with 
sensations and feelings more easily to be conjectured, than 
by me expressed. The whole proceedings call for my 
most grateful thanks, which are hereby tendered to you, 
and through you to the President and Directors of the 
National Institute. But with the warmest sensations that 
can inspire a grateful heart, I must decline accepting the 
honor intended to be bestowed. I cannot consent that my 
mortal body shall be laid in a repository prepared for an 
emperor or a king. My republican feelings and principles 
forbid it ; the simphcity of our system of government for- 
bids it. Every monument erected to perpetuate the me- 
mory of our heroes and statesmen ought to bear evidence 
of the economy and simplicity of our republican institu- 
tions, and the plainness of our republican citizens, who 



374 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

are the sovereigns of our glorious Union, and whose virtue 
is to perpetuate it. True virtue cannot exist where pomp 
and parade are the governing passions: it can only dvvtll 
with the people — the great laboring and producing classes 
that form the bone and sinew of our confederacy. 

For these reasons I cannot accept the honor you and 
the President and Directors of the National Institute in- 
tended to bestow. I cannot permit my remains to be the 
first in these United States to be deposited in a sarco- 
phagus made for an emperor or king. I again repeat, 
please accept for yourself, and convey to the President 
and EHrectors of the National Institute, my most profound 
respects for the honor you and they intend to bestow. I 
have prepared an humble depository for my mortal body 
beside that wherein lies my beloved wife, where, without 
any pomp or parade, I have requested, when my God 
calls me to sleep with my fathers, to be laid ; for both of 
us there to remain until the last trumpet sounds to call 
the dead to judgment, when we, I hope, shall rise to- 
gether, clothed with that heavenly body promised to all 
who believe in our glorious Redeemer, who died for us 
that we might live, and by whose atonement I hope for a 
blessed immortality. 

I am, with great respect, 

your friend and fellow-citizen, 

Andrew Jackson. 

To Commodore J. D. Elliott, United States Navy. 



LIFE OF JACKSON. 375 



LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT. 

Hermitage, June *lth, 1843. 

In the Name of God, Amen: — I, Andrew Jackson, 
Sen'r., being of sound mind, memory, and understanding, 
and impressed with the great uncertainty of hfe and the 
certainty of death, and being desirous to dispose of my 
temporal afiiiirs so that after my death no contention may 
arise relative to the same — And whereas, since executing 
my will of the 30th of September, 1833, my estate has 
become greatly involved by my habilities for the debts of 
my well beloved and adopted son Andrew Jackson, Jun., 
which makes it necessary to alter the same : Therefore I, 
Andrew Jackson, Sen'r., of the county of Davidson, and~ 
state of Tennessee, do make, ordain, publish, and declare 
this my last will and testament, revoking all other wills 
by mc heretofore made. 

First, I bequeath my body to the dust whence it comes, 
and my soul to God who gave it, hoping for a happy im- 
mortality through the atoning merits of our Lord Jesus 
Christ, the Saviour of the world. My desire is, that my 
body be buried by the side of my dear departed wife, in 
the garden at the Hermitage, in the vault prepared in the 
garden, and all expenses paid by my executor hereafter 
named. 

Secondly, That all my just debts to be paid out of my 
personal and real estate by my executor; for which pur- 
pose to meet the debt my good friends Gen'l J. B. Plan- 
chin & Co. of New Orleans, for the sum of six thousand 
dollars, with the interest accruing thereon loaned to me 
to meet the debt due by A. Jackson, Jun., for the pur- 
chase of the plantation from Hiram G. Runnels, lying on 
the east bank of the river Mississippi, in the state of Mis- 
sissippi. Also, a debt due by me of ten thousand dollars. 



876 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

borrowed of my friends Blair and Rives, of the city of 
Washington and District of Cokimbia, with the interest 
accruing thereon; being apphed to the payment of the 
lands bought of Hiram G. Runnels as aforesaid, and for 
the faithful payment of the aforesaid recited debts, I here- 
by bequeath all my real and personal estate. After these 
debts are fully paid — 

Thirdly, I give and bequeath to my adopted son, An- 
drew Jackson, Junior, the tract of land whereon I now 
live, known by the Hermitage tract, with its butts and 
boundaries, with all its appendages of the three lots of 
land bought of Samuel Donelson, Thomas J. Donelson, 
and Alexander Donelson, sons and heirs of Sovern Donel- 
son, deceased, all adjoining the Hermitage tract, agreeable 
to their butts and boundaries, with all the appurtenances 
thereto belonging or in any wise appertaining, with all my 
negroes that I may die possessed of, with the exception 
hereafter named, with all their increase after the before 
recited debts are fully paid, with all the household furni- 
ture, farming tools, stock of all kind, both on the Hermi- 
tage tract farms, as well as those on the Mississippi plan- 
tation, to him and his heirs for ever. — The true intent and 
meaning of this my last will and testament is, that all my 
estate, real, personal, and mixed, is hereby first pledged 
for the payment of the above recited debts and interest; 
and when they are fully paid, the residue of all my estate, 
real, personal and mixed, is hereby bequeathed to my 
adopted son A. Jackson, Jun., with the exceptions here- 
after named, to him and his heirs for ever. 

Fourth, Whereas I have heretofore by conveyance, de- 
posited with my beloved daughter Sarah Jackson, wife of 
my adopted son A. Jackson, Jun., given to my beloved 
granddaughter, Rachel Jackson, daughter of A. Jackson, 
Jun. and Sarah his wife, several negroes therein described, 
which I hereby confirm. — I give and bequeath to my be- 
loved grandson Andrew Jackson, son of A. Jackson, Jun. 
and Sarah his wife, a negro boy named Ned, son of Black- 
smith Aaron and Hannah his wife, to him and his heirs 
for ever. 

Fifth, I give and bequeath to my beloved little gTand- 



LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT. 377 

SOIL Samuel Jackson, son of A. Jackson, Jun. and Lis 
much beloved wife Sarah, one negro boy named Davy or 
George, son of Squire and his wife Giney, to him and his 
heirs for ever. 

Sixth, To my beloved and affectionate daughter, Sarah 
Jackson, wife of my adopted and well beloved son, A. 
Jackson, Jun., I hereby recognise, by this bequest, the 
gift I made her on her marriage, of the negro girl Gracy, 
which I bought for her, and gave her to my daughter Sa- 
rah as her maid and seamstress, with her increase, with 
my house-servant Hannah and her two daughters, name- 
ly, Charlotte and Mary, to her and her heirs for ever. 
This gift and bequest is made for my great affection for 
her — as a memento of her uniform attention to me and 
kindness on all occasions, and particularly when worn down 
with sickness, pain, and debility — she has been more than 
a daughter to me, and I hope she never will be disturbed 
in the enjoyment of this gift and bequest by any one. 

Seventh, I bequeath to my well beloved nephew, An- 
drew J. Donelson, son of Samuel Donelson, deceased, the 
elegant sword presented to me by the state of Tennessee, 
with this injunction, that he fail not to use it when neces- 
sary in support and protection of our glorious union, and 
for the protection of the constitutional rights of our belo- 
ved country, should they be assailed by foreign enemies 
or domestic traitors. This, from the great change in my 
worldly affairs of late, is, with my blessing, all I can be- 
queath him, doing justice to those creditors to whom I 
am responsible. This bequest is made as a memento of 
my high regard, affection, and esteem I bear for him as a 
high-minded, honest, and honorable man. 

Eighth, To my grand-nephew Andrew Jackson Coffee, 
I bequeath the elegant sword presented to me by the Rifle 
Company of New Orleans, commanded by Capt. Beal, as 
a memento of my regard, and to bring to his recollection 
the gallant services of his deceased father Gen'l John Cof- 
fee, in the late Indian and British war, under my com- 
mand, and his gallant conduct in defence of New Orleans 
in 1814 and 1815; with this injunction, that he wield it 
iu the protection of the rights secured to the American 



378 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

citizen under our glorious constitution, against all inva- 
ders, whether foreign foes, or intestine traitors. 

I bequeatli to my beloved grandson Andrew Jackson, 
son of A. Jackson, Jun. and Sarah his wife, the sword pre- 
sented to me by the citizens of Philadelphia, w^ith this 
injunction, that he will always use it in defence of the con- 
stitution and our glorious union, and the perpetuation of 
our repubhcan system : remembering the motto — " Draw 
me not without occasion, nor sheath me without honour." 

The pistols of Gen'l Lafayette, which were presented 
by him to Gen'l George Washington, and by Col. Wm. 
Robertson presented to me, I becjucath to Geoi-ge Wash- 
ington Lafavette, as a memento of the illustrious persona- 
ges through whose hands they have passed — his father, 
and tlie father of Ids country. 

The gold box presented to me by the corporation of the 
City of New York, the large silver vase presented to me 
by the ladies of Charleston, South Carolina, my native 
state, with the large picture representing the unfurling of 
the American banner, presented to me by the citizens of 
South Carolina when it was refused to be accepted by the 
United States Senate, I leave in trust to my son A. Jack- 
son, Jun., with directions that should our happy country 
not be blessed with peace, an event not always to be ex- 
pected, he will at the close of the war or end of the con- 
flict, present each of said articles of inestimable value, to 
that patriot residing in the city or state from which they 
were preented, who shall be adjudged by his countrymen 
or the ladies to have been the most valiant in defence of 
his country and our country's rights. 

The pocket spyglass which was used by Gen'l Wash- 
ington during the revolutionary war, and presented to me 
by Mr. Custis, having been burned with my dwelling- 
house, the Hermitage, with many other invaluable relics, 
I can make no dispositon of them. As a memento of my 
high regard for Gen'l Robert Armstrong as a gentleman, 
patriot and soldier, as well as for his meritorious military 
services under my command during the late British and 
Indian war, and remembering the gallant bearing of him 
and his gallant httle band at Enotochopco creek, when, 



LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT. S79 

falling desperately wounded, he called out — " My brave 
fellows, some may fall, but save the cannon" — as a me- 
mento of all these things, I give and be(|ueath to him my 
case of pistols and sword worn by me throughout my 
miHtary career, well satistied that in his hands they will 
never be disgraced — that they will never be used or 
drawn without occasion, nor sheathed but with honour. 

Lastly, I leave to my beloved son all my walking-canes 
and other relics, to be distributed amongst my young 
relatives — namesakes — first, to my much esteemed name- 
sake, Andrew J. Donelson, son of my esteemed nephew 
A. J. Donelson, his first choice, and then to be distributed 
as A. Jiickson, Jun. may think proper. 

Lastly, I appoint my adopted son Andrew Jackson, 
Jun., my whole and sole executor to this my last will and 
testament, and direct that no security be required of him 
for the faithful execution and discharge of the trusts here- 
by reposed in him. 

In testimony whereof I have this Ytli day of June, one 
thousand eight hundred and forty-three, hereunto set my 
hand, and atlLxed my seal, hereby revoking all wills here- 
tofore made by me, and in the presence of 

Marion Adams, 1 

Elizabeth D. Love, ANDREW JACKSOK (Seal) 

Thos. J. Donelson, > 

Richard Smith, I 

R. Armstrong. J 



17 



880 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

State cf Tennessee, Davidson County Court, 

July Term, 1845. 

A paper writing, purporting to be the last will and tes- 
tament of Andrew Jackson, Sen., dec'd., was produced in 
open court for probate, and proved thus : — Marion Adams, 
Elizabeth D. Love, and Richard Smith, three of the sub- 
scribing witnesses thereto, being first duly sworn, depose 
and say, that they became such in the presence of the said 
Andrew Jackson, Sr., dec'd., and at his request and in the 
presence of each other; and that they verily believe he 
was of sound and disposing mind and memory at the time 
of executino' the same. 

o 

Ordered, That said paper writing be admitted to record 
as such will and testament of the said Andrew Jackson, 
Sr., dec'd. Whereupon Andrew Jackson, Jun., the exe- 
cutor named in said will, came into court and gave bond 
in the sum of two hundred thousand dollars, (there being 
no security required by said will,) and qualified according 
to law. 

Ordered, That he have letters testamentary granted to 
Idm. 

State of Tennessee, Davidson County: 

I, Robert B. Castleman, Clerk of the County Court, of 
said county, do certify that the foregoing is a true and 
perfect copy of the original will of Andrew Jackson, Sr., 
dec'd., together with the probate of the same, as proven 
at the July term, 1845, of said court, as the same remains 
of record in my office. In testimony whereof I have 
hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said court at 
my office, this the 15 th day of August, in the 
year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred 
and forty-five. 

Ro. B. Castleman 
By his deputy, 

Phineas Garrett. 




bethune's discourse. 381 



DR. BETHUNE'S DISCOURSE, 

Pronounced July 6th, 1845. 



"For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, 
which he commanded our fathers that they should make them known to their 
children; that the generation to come might know them, even the children 
which should be born, who should arise and declare them to their children, 
that they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but 
keep his commandments." — Psalm Ixxviii. 5, 6, 7. 

Among our many national sins, there is none more 
likely to provoke divine chastisement, yet less considered 
or repented of, even by Christians, than ingratitude for 
political blessings. That there are evils among us, no one 
will den}^ ; that changes might be made for the better, it 
were unreasonable to doubt ; and, concerning methods of 
removing evil, or working good, we may differ widely, yet 
honestly. Evil is inseparable from human nature, the 
best human schemes are capable of improvement, and 
human opinions must be various, because they are fallible. 
It is a narrow, unthankful spirit, which, brooding over 
imperfections, or sighing after greater advantages, or bitter- 
ly condemning all who think not the same way, refuses to 
perceive and acknowledge the vast benefits we actually 
enjoy. Never was there a revolution at once so just and 
so successful as that which won our country's indepen- 
dence : never, except in the Bible, have the rights of man 
been so clearly and truly defined as in our constitution ; 
never did greater success attend a social experiment than 
has followed ours. Since the establishment of our con- 
federacy, tumults, insurrections, and violent changes, have 
been busy in all the civilized world besides. Throne after 
throne has fallen, and dynasties have been built up on the 
bloody ruins of dynasties. In some nations the people 



382 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

have wnmg, by force, partial concessions from hereditary 
rule ; in others, after convulsive, misdirected efforts, tliey 
have been crushed again by the iron hoof of despotism ; 
nor is the voice of a prophet needed to foretell a long, 
desperate struggle of uprising humanity with the powers 
of political darkness; while the bloody discords and con- 
stant confusion of other republics on the same continent 
with ourselves, demonstrate the incompatibility of free- 
dom with ignorance and superstition. Ours is now, with 
the exception of the Russian and British (if, indeed, the 
passage of the Reform Bill was not an organic change), 
older than any monarchical government in Christendom. 
The increase of our population from less than three mil- 
lions to twenty, in seventy years, multiplies many times 
any former example ; yet, notwithstanding the enormous 
migration to us from various countries, where free princi- 
ples are unknown, our wide land has more than enough 
room for all : growth in numbers has been a chief cause 
of our growth in wealth, and our laws, strong as they are 
liberal, have proved themselves sufficient to compose, 
maintain and rule all in concord, prosperity and power. 
You will search in vain for another example of a vast na- 
tion governed, without troops or armed police, by their 
own will. It is not five years since, that our people, 
spread out over an immense territory, after a contest in 
which the utmost enthusiasm excited both parties, changed 
their rulers. Yet not a bayonet was fixed, nor a cannon 
pointed, nor a barricade raised, to guard the place of suf- 
frage. The ballot, falling noiselessly as snow upon the 
rock, achieved the result. Within the last twelvemonth, 
the stupendous process has been repeated as peaceably 
and safely. Each of the great political sects, which divide 
the popular vote, has triumphed and been beaten. Much 
there has been to censure in the harsh recrimination and 
unfraternal bigotry on either side ; but when the decision 
was reached, thouo-h the longf-rollino- swells which succeed 
the storm did not at once subside, and here and there 
some violent partisan may have betrayed his vexation, the 
surface became calm, and the noise soon died away 
Every true patriot, submissive to the oracle of the polls. 



bethune's discourse. 383 

Wlietlier wisdom or error, said in his heart, God bless 

THE people! 

Our difficulties, real or supposed, have arisen out of our 
advantages, for good and evil are mixed with all human 
affairs. The freedom of those institutions under which 
we live, has its price, which must be paid, so long as man 
IS prone to abuse, by impatience and excess, those favours 
of Almighty God which yield happiness only when they 
are used moderately and religiously. Elated by pros- 
perity, we have forced our growth too fast. We have 
attempted by plausible inventions to transcend the laws 
of trade and production. We have compHcated the ma- 
chinery of our interests until our clear, simple constitu- 
tion, has become, in the hands of sophisticating politicians, 
a riddle of mysteries. The limits of habitation have been 
enlarged beyond the blessings of church and school-house. 
Vices and faults, peculiar to new settlements, have reach- 
ed the heart of our legislation. To carry on our far 
grasping schemes, we have strained our credit till it broke. 
Freedom of speech and of the press, has been abused to 
licentiousness by prejudice, rashness, and selfish ambition. 
Acknowledoino- as we do the rio-hts of conscience in their 
broadest meaning, even the holy name of rehgion has 
been dragged upon the arena of party. 

Our republic is not a paradise : our countrymen, like 
ourselves, are not angels, but frail, erring men. Our his- 
tory has been an experiment Mistakes have been and 
will be made. It is thus that we are to learn. Shall we, 
in coward skepticism, overlook our immense advantages to 
hang our fears upon a few faults, or prognosticate the fail- 
ure of a system which has accomplished so much, because 
it shares with others the imperfections of humanity ? Is 
there a sober-minded man among us, who would be will- 
ing to encounter the oppressions of what are called strong- 
governments, that he might escape from under our pre- 
sent system. Our faults are our own, and our misfortunes 
are consequences of our faults ; but our poHtical advanta- 
ges are God's rich gifts, which it becomes us thankfully 
to receive and piously improve. All our evils have their 
legitimate remedies, and there is no danger which may 



384 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

not be avoided by a wise care. Instead, therefore, of 
querulous fears and ungrateful discontent, the Christian 
patriot should zealously inquire what he can do to secure 
and advance the best welfare of our beloved land. Our 
holy text is full of instruction to this end. 

The psalmist is describing the policy of God with Israel, 
the people whom he wished to know no king but himself, 
and therefore, the only safe poUcy for any people who 
would preserve their hberties from the encroachment of 
despotic rule. 

" He established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed q 
law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers that they 
should make them known to their children ; that the gene- 
ration to come might know them, even the children which 
should be born; who should arise and declare them to 
their children, that they might set their hopes in God, 
and not forget the works of God, but keep his command- 
ments." 

We see here, 

First: The character of a safe and HAPPr peo- 
ple. 

"They set their hopes in God; they forget not the 
works of God ; they keep his commandments." 

Secondly: The means which God has appointed 

FOR cultivating THIS CHARACTER, 

" He established a law in Jacob, and appointed a testi- 
mony in Israel." 

Thirdly : The obligation upon a Christian patriot 
arising from this providence of Jehovah. 

"He commanded our fathers that they should make 
them known to their children; that the generation to 
come might know them, even the children which might 
be born ; who should arise and declare them to their chil- 
dren." 

First: The character of a safe and happy people. 

They " set their hopes in God." The man who looks 
to God as the source of his welfare, is lifted above tempta- 
tion within and without Conscious of a holy, heart- 
searching eye, upon him, his virtue will not be an outward 
semblance, cloaking from human sight, secret crime or 



bethune's discourse. 885 

selfish purposes. The opinions, fashions, or rewards of 
the world, will neither shape his principles nor modify his 
practice. He will fear to do evil, lest he should oflfend 
against God. He will do justice and love mercy, because 
he walks humbly wuth-God. 

His expectations of eternity will guard and sustain him 
in honesty. He knows himself to be immortal and God 
eternal; that vice, which no human scrutiny can detect 
and no human laws can punish, will meet a terrible ven- 
geance, while good acts and purposes will be rewarded 
openly by Him, who seeth in secret, at the judgment 
day. The pains of virtue and the pleasures of vice, being 
alike transitory, are of little account in his estimation, who 
sets his hope in God, his Saviour, and his judge. He re- 
lies upon God, because He is merciful, and knows that he 
is safe, because God is Almighty. 

Were our nation composed of such believers, how un- 
troubled would be our peace ! how entire our mutual con- 
fidence ! how free our affairs from intrigue, corruption and 
wrong! The key would never be turned in the lock, the 
gibbet seen no more, and the prison doors stand open. 
No man would fear, but every man would love his neigh- 
bour, and the true interests of all be acknowledged by 
each as his own. 

They " forget not the works of God." When God is 
the treasury of a man's hopes, he loves to trace the work- 
ings of God's wisdom and power, that he may know the 
sources upon which he can draw. He considers creation, 
and in its minuteness as well as its vastness, he reads cer- 
tain proof of the same Power which made, ruling so per- 
fectly, that nothing is overlooked, and so absolutely, that 
nothing is beyond his presiding will. He considers re- 
demption, that God so loved the world as to give his only 
begotten Son as the dehverer of all who beheve upon his 
name, and that all power is in the hands of our Elder 
Brother, the incarnate God. Therefore is he sure, that 
God rules in mercy as well as justice, that he will listen 
to the prayer of his people, and that, however mysterious 
his methods, all things are working together by the Holy 
Spirit for the universal triumph of truth, and righteous- 
ness, and neace. 



386 LIFE OF JAoKSON. 

Witli such convictions, how cheering to him must be the 
study of Providence! With what confidence, remember- 
ing the faithfulness of God in the past, will he confide in 
him amidst the difficulties of the present, and for the de- 
velopements of the future! and how steadfastly reject for 
himself and for his country, any policy which crosses the 
unchangeable laws of God, the everliving Lord ! 

How strong would this nation be in hope and virtue, 
did our people thus remember the works of God ! For 
never, since the world began, has the providence of God 
been more remarkable, kind, and instructive, than towards 
us. Jehovah did not lead Israel forth from Egypt to the 
inheritance of Canaan with a more mighty hand or mani- 
fest care, than has been seen in our history since the first 
prayer of the pilgrim from the tyrrany of the old world 
to this better country, rose through its virgin forests, un- 
til our present day of unexampled prosperity. 

They " keep his commandments." The behever's obe- 
dience to the directions of God is the necessary result of 
such trust and study. Gratitude will make him loyal to 
a sovereign so kind and faithful : a sense of his own weak- 
ness and short-sie*htedness will incline him to follow land- 

o 

marks so certain, and the approbation of an honest con- 
science reward and incite him to persevere. 

" Happy is the people that are in such a case ! Yea, 
happy is that people whose God is the Lord!" 

Secondly: The means which God has appointed for 
cultivating such a character. 

" He established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a 
law in Israel:" or as an admirable critic translates it, "He 
established an oracle in Jacob, and deposited a revelation 
with Israel." 

The Psalmist, doubtless, here refers not only to the law 
given on the Mount, in which God defined human duties 
and prescribed religious worship, but to all the communi- 
cations which he had made or might yet make to man. 

The value of the word of God is seen in the ftict, that 
it is the word of God. What almighty mercy and wis- 
dom saw fit to reveal, .must be of the last importance. 
We are sure of nothing but that which God has r 9 



bethune's discourse. 38 

known. Never could we have discovered his will con- 
cernino- us, or known how to walk in safety, had he not 
said, ""^rhis is the way." Never could we have been as- 
sured of a Providence over us, or looked within the tre- 
mendous realities of eternity, had not he manifested him- 
self by his own declarations, and brought immortality to 
lioht by Jesus Christ, the man whom he has ordained as 
saviour and judge. Without the word of God, we should 
be without God, ignorant, hopeless, lost in perplexity, the 
sport of conjecture, of passion, appetite, and dread. 
Truth would have no definition, oaths no confirmation, 
laws no sanction, and the grave no promise; the past 
would teach us nothing but our ruin, and the future 
would be black with despair. When we have that word, 
how P-lorious is the reverse to the pious believer! We 
stand by the side of God when he laid the foundation of 
the earth, and we look beyond the catastrophe of created 
thino-s to the fixed results of justice and love. We trace 
back our lineage to a brotherhood with every human soul; 
and we learn the will of our common fether concerning 
the relations which bind us to him and his family on earth. 
We see the path of righteousness marked tor our teet, 
and one walking by our side, " whose form is like to that 
of the Son of God," sustaining our weakness and assuring 
our faithful obedience of eternal reward, after the sha- 
dows and the labours of time shall have Passed away and 
ceased for ever. Nay, in the rest of the Sabba h, the 
worship of the sanctuary, the communion of saints, and 
the witnessing sacraments, we have the foretaste sign, 
and confirmatTon of an eternal rest, love and satisfaction 
in the house of God, eternal and undefiled. 

Need I ask you to consider the blessedness, here and 
hereafter, of a nation ^ho know and obey tl^at word and 
who cultivate and delight in that worship! Where is the 
suicidal, traitor hand, that would dare pluck t^is cornei - 
stone from the foundation of o^or hopes, and, extingu h- 
ing the fight ^hich heaven has kindled, give our country 
back to the gloom, the licentiousness and cruelUes of 
those nations which have forgotten God. 
17* 



388 life of jackson. 

Thirdly : The obligations upon the Christian patri- 
ot ARISING from this PROVIDENCE OF GoD, 

" He commanded our fathers to make them known to 
their children ; that the generation to come might know 
them, even the children which should be born, who 
should arise and declare them unto their children." 

The first duty laid upon us is, to study and practise the 
word of God ourselves. It is by the light of Christian 
example, that the saving power of the gospel is made 
manifest to the world. The believer of the word of God, 
therefore, owes a profession and practice of Christiainty 
not only to God, to himself, and the church, but to his 
country, because its welfare can be secured only by reli- 
gion. 

Then, it is our duty, to the utmost of our means, to 
give the advantage of the same religion to those who neg- 
lect, or cannot, of themselves, obtain the means of grace, 
especially in the new settlements of that immense valley, 
the power of which already overbalances the older states. 
Wherever a fellow-citizen is without the knowledge of 
God, there is an element of danger mingling with the ag- 
gregate of the national will. We can never control crime, 
nor refute error, but by truth ; and in withholding the 
truth of God, we consent to all the mischief that may be 
done by those, to whom we might teach the right, but do 
not. 

But, especially, are we to strive that the Bible sTiould 
be in the hands, and by the blessing of God upon our 
labours, in the hearts of the rising generation. Upon 
their shoulders the burthens of society, our country, and 
the cause of God, are soon to rest. From them their 
children are to learn good or evil. Neglect a child, and 
you have negiected the man, the woman, the father, the 
mother, generations yet unborn. The truth of God in our 
hands belongs to them, as much as to ourselves. It is de- 
posited with us for their benefit. By omitting to give it, 
we rob them of God's best gift, and our land, in future 
years, of its best defence and glory. The means of edu- 
cation, so far as the arts of reading and writing go, are 



bethune's discourse. 389 

not enough. Educate with all your energies. Do no- 
thing that may by any possibility interfere with, and eve- 
rything to increase such instruction ; but let us be ever 
ready to set the Bible before the opened eye and the 
craving mind. Better that a child should learn to read 
without the Bible, than to know not how to read the Bi- 
ble. Th'ink God! Christians need not contend for de- 
bateable ground in this matter. With our Bible, and 
Tract, and Sunday School Societies, if we be only faithful 
in supporting them, we are more than a match, by God's 
help, for all the infidelity and superstition among us. We 
lose time and waste our strength, by petty squabblings 
with evil on its own dunghill. Let us rather devote all 
our power and zeal to those ready and open methods of 
disseminating truth, which no force in this land can forbid 
us to use. When the true church of God consecrates the 
talents she has from Him, to the spread of the gospel 
through our country, every wall that the enmity or idol- 
atry of men can build against it shall fall like those of Je- 
richo at the trumpeting of the Levites ; when she walks 
forth, the light of her presence shall dissipate every sha- 
dow, and, "terrible as an army with banners," her peace- 
ful triumphs will crown our whole people with the glory 
of the Lord, a joy and a defence. 

Blessed be God, there are those who have felt the ne- 
cessity of these religious efforts for the good of our coun- 
try, and the immortal well-being of our countrymen. 
They are, indeed, but too few, and their zeal has not al- 
ways been equal to their opportunities and responsibility. 

Yet in them, their examples of Christian conduct, their 
testimony to the power of religion, and their benevolent 
labours for the illumination of the ignorant, we see the 
providence of God blessing our nation with moral life, and 
confirming our government, founded upon the will of the 
people, by the only sufficient buttresses, knowledge, vir- 
tue, and the fear of God. The faithful Christian is the 
only faithful patriot, and he is not a faithful Christian who 
serves not his country in the name of Christ, and in the 
spirit of his gospel. 

These thoughts, as jo\i know, have been suggested by 



390 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

the recent anniversary of our national independence, a day 
which should be dear and sacred to us all, thongh often 
miserably polluted by intemperance, and profaned by par- 
ty assemblages. Surely we might devote one day of the 
year to the charities of patriotic brotherhood, and lose all 
minor distinctions in our common citizenship ; nor should 
we forget before the altar of our father's God, the Author 
of all mercies, his mighty doings for us in the past ; the 
good, the great, the wise, the valiant, whom he has raised 
up to serve, guide, and defend us; and the blessing which 
he has caused to rest upon their counsels, their arms, 
their zeal, and their sacrifices. Such recollections are 
due to Him, to our country, and to humanity. Children 
should hear the stor}^ and the best genius contribute to 
its illustration. Fresh laurels should be plucked and 
wreathed upon the graves of the beloved for their coun- 
try's sake, and eloquence pay its richest tribute to their 
heaven-sent worth, that the hving may hear and follow 
their example. 

While I thus speak, the spell of a great name comes 
upon our hearts, compelling us to utter their thoughts and 
emotions. When the sun of that morning rose, it gilded 
the fresh tomb of one whose ear, for the first time since 
the 4th of July, 1776, failed to vibrate with the thunder- 
ings of his country's birth-day joy ; and a voice, for the 
first time, answered not its cheers, which, since its boyish 
shout was heard through the Revolutionary strife, had 
never been wanting in the annual conclamation. The iron 
will, whose upright strength never quivered amidst the 
hghtning storms that crashed around it in battle or con- 
troversy; the adamantine judgment, against which ad- 
verse opinions dashed themselves to break into scattered 
foam ; the far-reaching faith, that flashed light upon dan- 
gers hidden from the prudence of all beside ; the earnest 
affectioUj that yearned in a child's simplicity, the purpose 
of a sage, a parent's tenderness, and the humble fidelity 
of a sworn servant over the people who gave it rule and 
elevation, have ceased among us: Andrew Jackson is 
with God. He, who confessed no authority on earth but 
the welfare of his country and his own convictions of right; 



bethune's discourse. 391 

who never turned to rest while a duty remained to be 
done, and who never asked the support of any human 
arm in his hour of utmost difficulty; bowed his head 
meekly to the command of the Highest, and walked calm- 
ly down into the grave, leaning upon the strength of Je- 
sus ; paused on the threshold of immortality to foroive 
his enemies, to pray for our liberties, to bless his wecpino- 
household, and to leave the testimony of his trust in the 
gospel of the Crucified; and then, at the fall of a Sabbath 
evening, passed into the rest which is eternal. His last 
enemy to be destroyed was death. Thanks be to God, 
who gave him the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ! 
To say that he had faults, is to say that he was human ; 
the errors of a mind so energetic, in a career so eventful, 
must have been striking; nor could a character be sub- 
jected to censure more merciless, than he provoked by a 
policy original and unhesitating, at open war Avith long- 
established usages, and dogmas that had grown into un- 
questioned axioms. Bereft in his early youth of parental 
guidance and restraint, educated in the camp and the 
forest bivouac, and forced to push his own fortunes through 
the rough trials of a border life, we can scarcely wonder 
that, until age had schooled his spirit and tempered his 
blood, he was impetuous, sensitive to insult, and prone to 
use the strong hand. Warm in his attachments, he was 
slow to discover frailty in those he loved, or to accord 
confidence where once he had doubted. Grasping, by 
his untutored genius, conclusions which other men reach 
by philosophical detail, he made, while sure of just ends, 
some mistakes in his methods, for the time disastrous. 
Called to act at a crisis when the good and evil in our 
national growth had become vigorous enough for conflict, 
and wealth and labour, like the twins of Rebecca, were 
strugghng for the right of the elder born, his decisions 
in great but sudden emergencies were denounced by that 
after criticism, which can look back to condemn, but is 
blind to lead. Compelled to resolve stupendous, unpre- 
cedented questions of government and political economy, 
he roused the hostility of opposite schools in those difficult 
sciences. Never shrinking from any responsibihty, per- 



392 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

sonal or official, he sternly fulfilled his interpretations of 
duty, as a co-ordinate branch of the national legislature, 
leavinir his course to the verdict of his constituents ; nor 
did he hesitate to avail himself of all the means he could 
extract from the letter of the constitution, to achieve what 
he thought was the intent of its spirit. His was a stern, 
prompt, and energetic surgery, and though the body poli- 
tic writhed under the operation, none can tell, though 
some may conjecture, the more fatal consequences his se- 
verity averted. If he were wrong, public opinion has 
since adopted the chief of his heresies, and there is no 
hand strong enough or daring enough to lay one stone 
upon another of that which he threw down into ruins. 
But in all this, his heart was with the people, his faith 
firm in the sufficiency of free principles; and regardless 
alike of deprecating friends and denouncing opponents, 
he held on throughout to one only purpose, the perma- 
nent good of the whole, unchecked by particular privile- 
ges, and unfettered by artificial restrictions. To use his 
own lofty language, " In vain did he bear upon his person 
enduring memorials of that contest in which American 
liberty was purchased; * * * in vain did he since 
peril property, fame, and life, in defence of the rights and 
privileges so dearly bought, if any doubts can be enter- 
tained of the purity of his purposes and motives. * * 

Nor could he have found an inducement to com- 
mence a career of ambition, when gray hairs and a de- 
caying frame, instead of inviting to toil and battle, called 
him to contemplate other worlds, where conquerors cease 
to be honoured, and usurpers expatiate their crimes." 

But though there are passages in his life, about which 
the most honest have held, and may yet hold, contrary 
opinions, there are services of his demanding the gratitude 
of all, and virtues all must delight to honour. Can we 
forget that victory, in which his ready strategy and con- 
summate skill turned back, by tlie valour of scarcely dis- 
ciphned men, the superior numbers and veteran determi- 
nation of a foreign foe from the spoil and dishonour of a 
rich and populous territory? or the entire success, with 
which he dehvered from the scalping-knife and torture of 



bethune's discourse. 39 3 

m\y and ferocious savages, the Florida settlements, an 
achievement, which in subsequent trials far less arduous, 
no other leader has been able to imitate ? Or the tri- 
umph of simple firmness over diplomatic, procrastinating 
mbtleties, when, planting his foot upon what was clearly 
dght, in a determination to suffer nothing that was clearly 
ivrong, he swung round a mighty European empire to pay 
its long-withheld indemnity for injuries done to American 
commerce ? And in that darkest hour of our country's 
history, when a narrow sectionalism counterfeited the 
colour of patriotic zeal, and discord shook her gorgon 
locks, and men shuddered as they saw, yawning wide in 
the midst of our confederacy, a gulf which threatened to 
demand the devotion of many a life before it would close 
again, how sublimely did he proclaim over the land that 
doctrine sacred as the name of Washington, The Union 
must he preserved! and the storm died away with impo- 
tent mutterings. Nor is his glory in this the less, that 
he shared it with another, and that other, one whose 
name the applauses of his countrymen have taught the 
mountains and the valleys to echo down for far genera- 
tions, as the gallant, the frank, the brilliant statesman, to 
whose fame the highest office could add no decoration, 
nor disappointment rob of just claims to the people's love. 
It was a lofty spectacle, full of rebuke to party jealousy 
and of instruction to their countrymen, when Henry Clay 
offered the compromise of his darling theory, and An- 
drew Jackson endorsed the new bond that made the 
Union again, and, as we trust, indissolubly firm. 

Remarkable as the contrast is, there were traits 
in the temper of the indomitable old man, tender, sim- 
ple, and touching. With what faithful affection he 
honoured her while hving, whose dear dust made the 
hope of his last resting-place more sweet, that he might 
sleep again at her side ! And, if his heart seemed some- 
times steeled against the weakness of mercy, when crime 
was to be punished, or mutiny controlled, or danger an- 
nihilated ; he could also stoop in his career of bloody con- 
quest, to take a wailing, new-made orphan to his pitying 
heart; with the same hand, that had just struck down 



394 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

invading foes, he steadied the judgment-seat shaken with 
the tremors of him who sat upon it, to pronounce sen- 
tence against him for law violated in martial necessity; 
and at the height of authority, the poor man found him a 
brother and a friend. 

But, O how surpassingly beautiful was his closing 
scene, when, as the glories of his earthly honour were fad- 
ing in the brightness of his eternal anticipations, and his 
head humbly rested upon the bosom of Him who was 
crucified for our sins, his latest breath departed in the 
praises of that religion which had become his only boast, 
and in earnest counsel that all who loved him mioht ob- 

O 

tain the like faith, and meet him in heaven ! There was 
no doubt in his death ; he had prepared to meet his God ; 
and when his giant heart fainted, and his iron frame fail- 
ed, God was the strength of his heart, and his portion for 
ever. Little would all his achievements have won for 
him, had he gained the whole world, yet lost his soul; 
but now his fame will survive until time shall be no more, 
and his spirit is immortal among the redeemed. The an- 
gels bore him from us, no longer the hero, the statesman, 
the guide of millions, and the master mind of his country ; 
but a sinner saved by grace, to the feet of the Lamb that 
was slain, a little child of God to the bosom of his Father. 
My hearers, have you been his friends ? Obey his part- 
ing counsel, and by faith in Jesus, follow him to heaven, 
whom you have delighted to follow on earth. Have you 
been in opposition to his life ? Refuse not the profit of 
his death, but find in that blood, which cleansed him 
from all his sins, atonement for your own. that his 
last testimony had the same power over men's souls, as 
his cheer in battle, and his proclamations of political doc- 
trine ! Then would he shine bright among the brightest 
in the constellation of those who turn many to righteous- 
ness. 

My brethren, I have spoken much longer than I meant 
to have done, but you would not have withheld from me 
the privilege. If I have dwelt upon the best traits in the 
notable character of one, who has not been suffered to 
escane the earnest crimination of many, it has been be- 



bethune's discourse. 395 

cause he is dead. You, who listened to me with so much 
candour, when I paid, four years since, an humble tribute 
to tlie merits of him who reached the heiglit of authority 
to sink into a grave watered by a nation's tears, will not 
condemn my utterance of similar emotions now. The 
jackal hate, that howls over the lifeless body, is far remo- 
ved from your Christian charity and generous judgment. 

*' Vile is the vengeance on tlie ashes cold, 
And envy base to bark at sleeping mould." 

Let us rather pray as Christians, that the memory of 
good deeds may live, and the example of a Christian's 
death be sanctified. Let us, as Christian patriots, take 
new courage in setting forth, by word and practice, the 
paramount virtue of the religion we profess, to save our 
country, as it saves the soul ; and, while we mourn the 
conflicts of evil passion, not forget the actual good which, 
by the Divine favour, is working out health from the mys- 
terious fermentation. 

There is, notwithstanding occasional agitation, a calm 
good sense among our people, sufficient to recover and 
maintain the equilibrium. It is not seen blustering around 
the polls ; it is not heai-d vociferating and applauding in 
party meetings ; nor, unhappily, does it often appear on 
the arena, where misnomered statesmen struggle rather 
for personal advancement than their country's good ; but 
it hves with those, who, in honest toil, are too independent 
to be bought, or, in honest competence, too content to de- 
sire the doubtful distinctions of popular favor. It is nur- 
tured by the lessons of holy religion. It is breathed in 
the prayer of God's true w^orshippers. It deliberates 
around the domestic hearth, where the father thinks of 
the posterity who are to live after him ; in the philosophic 
retirement of the man of letters ; in the workshop where 
the freeman feels proud of his sweat ; and in the cultured 
field, from which the farmer knows that his bread is sure 
by the bounty of heaven. It is felt in the practice of 
common duties, the example of daily virtues, and the re- 
sults of observant experience. It is Uke oil on the waves 
of noisy strife. The man in powder ti'embles as he hears 



396 LIFE OF JACKSON. 

its still small voice ; the secret conspirator finds its clear 
eye upon him, and quails beneath the searching- scrutiny; 
and, like the angel of Israel, it meets the demagogue on 
his way to curse the land which God has blest, and, if he 
be not turned back, it alarms and forewarns the beast on 
which he rides. 

It may be said, that the party of the honest and intel- 
ligent is small, far smaller than, with my respect for my 
country, I believe it to be ; but, if it be, it has still the 
controlling voice from the divisions of the rest. Each dis- 
astrous experiment teaches them new prudence, each well- 
sustained trial new courage. They have not looked for 
immediate perfection, and, therefore, are willing yet to 
learn. They are the men who hold the country together, 
and their influence is the salt which saves the mass from 
utter corruption. I look upward above the dust which 
is raised by scuffling partisans, to the throne of our fath- 
ers' God; I look backward on all the threatening events 
through which he has brought us ; and I can commit my 
country to the care of Him who " maketh even the wrath 
of man to praise him," and beheve that it is safe. Under 
providence, I rely with an unshaken faith on the intelli- 
gent will of the American people. If my faith be a de- 
lusion, may it go with me to my grave. When its war- 
rant proves false, I could pray God, if it be his will, to let 
me die ; for the brightest hope that ever dawned on poli- 
tical freedom shall have been lost in darkness, the fairest 
column ever reared by the hands of men cast down, and 
the beacon hght of the world gone out. 

My hearers, we must soon appear before God to an- 
swer for all our conduct here. Then, what will avail all 
our busy, anxious, most successful pursuit of this world, 
if, through neglect of a timely faith and repentance, we 
are lost for ever ? Let me entreat you, therefore, to seek 
first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, that the Ho- 
ly Spirit may be your guide, Christ your intercessor, and 
the Father receive you among the children of his love. Un- 
til we have obtained this grace for ourselves, we shall seek 
in vain to do any real good ; there is no promise of an 
answer to our prayers, or of a blessing upon our zeal. 



bethune's discourse. 397 

We cannot be faithful to others, while we remain unfeith- 
ful to God and our own souls. May the voice of Provi- 
dence, confirming the testimony of the Scriptures, prevail 
with us all to prepare for eternity, that in our wise pre- 
paration, we may secure our own best happiness, by ren- 
dering the best service to God, our country, and our race ! 
Amen. 



THE END. 



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